Onitsha Fire’s Story of Sorrow, Tears, Blood

Matilda Omonaiye/

As can be expected, the fire that ravaged a section of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, today left in its wake a tale of sorrow, tears and blood.

By the time the inferno was brought under relative control, it had consumed an unidentified nursing mother and her innocent child, as well as countless buildings and property.

The woman was reportedly trying to flee from the path of the ravaging fire when she slipped and fell into a ditch that was already filled with petrol. Both she and her child were burnt beyond recognition.

The fire was ignited when a truck conveying premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol, lost control and collided with the fence of Toronto hospital, at Upper-Iweka area this afternoon.

Consequently the truck started spilling its contents on the road and in the nearby gutters, before it snowballed into a fire.

The crime diary of the Anambra State police command gave an account of the incident as follows:

ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND DIARY:

FIRE INCIDENT:

Today 16/10/2019 at about 12:59 pm,a trailer loaded with petroleum product lost control at upper iweka, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Onitsha and crashed inside a pavement in between the expressway.

As a result, the fire spilled over through the gutter and affected many shops and houses.

Commissioner of Police, CP John B.Abang visited the scene for on the spot assessment and appealed to the residents to remain calm. Fire Service department was equally contacted.

Meanwhile,a yet to be identified woman and her baby caught up by the inferno and burnt beyond recognition were rushed to Toronto hospital but certified dead by a medical doctor while receiving treatment.

Consequently,Police patrol teams have cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage to loot while effort is still ongoing to put off the fire.

Case under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident please.

SP Haruna Mohammed PPRO Anambra State Police Command,
For-Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command.

NAN quoted a witness as saying no fewer than four persons were killed in the inferno which also engulfed a near-by market.

“The fire started in front of Toronto Hospital Onitsha, before it spread to Ochanga Market area, “the witness was quoted to have said.

“I saw four lifeless persons, while a number of persons are still trapped in a building still burning.”

More than 100 shops were reportedly razed and with goods such as clothing and electronic appliances affected.

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