Multiple fire outbreaks were recorded across Anambra State over the weekend, affecting a school, a marketplace, and a university campus. These incidents have raised concerns about fire safety, especially during the dry season.
On Sunday evening, a fire damaged parts of the Practicing Primary School building located within St. Stephen Anglican Church in Umubelu, Awka. Although no injuries were reported, the fire, believed to have originated from bush burning on Saturday, damaged sections of the school’s roofing materials.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the fire raged for several minutes before the Anambra State Fire Service arrived and successfully contained it, preventing further spread to nearby structures.
Chukwudi Chiketa, head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the state fire service, confirmed the incident, stating that firefighters responded promptly to the emergency call.
“We received a distress call on January 11, 2025, at about 4:40 pm, reporting a bushfire outbreak at the Practicing Primary School. Firefighters were immediately dispatched and contained the fire. No casualties were recorded,” Chiketa said.
He also urged the public to avoid activities that could spark fires, particularly during the dry season, and emphasized the need to clear bushes around residential and public areas.
In another incident, a fire broke out at Lord’s Plaza in Onitsha Main Market early Sunday morning. Two lock-up attachment shops on the ground floor of the plaza were damaged.
According to reports, a distressed woman alerted the fire service at 6:10 am. Firefighters quickly responded and managed to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading further.
Confirming the incident, Chiketa said, “The fire at Lord’s Plaza was brought under control, and no casualties were recorded. The firefighters left the scene at about 7:58 am.”
On Friday, a fire was reported behind the Security Office at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The fire service responded swiftly to the alert, received at 4:05 pm, and successfully extinguished the blaze within an hour. No damage or casualties were reported.
Following these incidents, the Anambra State Fire Service reiterated its call for increased fire safety awareness. Chiketa emphasized that fire outbreaks are preventable and urged residents to be vigilant.
“Be fire conscious. Fire kills, but we can prevent it,” he said.
The series of fire incidents highlights the importance of fire safety measures, especially during the harmattan season when dry conditions heighten the risk. Authorities have urged residents to clear vegetation, avoid bush burning, and practice caution to prevent similar occurrences.
