RismadarVoice Reporters
March 21, 2026
A fire outbreak in the early hours of Saturday gutted parts of the Plumbing Material Section of the popular Head Bridge Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The incident, which occurred near the Ogbo-Ogwu Medicine Market along the Onitsha-Awka Expressway, threw traders into panic as flames engulfed several shops.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started at about 11:55 pm on Friday, prompting security personnel to alert traders and emergency responders.
Before help arrived, however, a significant portion of the affected section had already been consumed.
Traders and residents were seen making frantic efforts to contain the blaze while awaiting the arrival of firefighters.
Many shop owners were also observed salvaging remnants of their goods, lamenting losses accumulated over years of business.
“The fire started at almost midnight. By the time traders got here, it had already destroyed many shops. Some of us are still assessing the level of damage. We suspect it may have been caused by a power surge, but nothing has been confirmed,” an eyewitness said.
Although no casualties were reported, the fire destroyed large quantities of plumbing and building materials across several shops.
Confirming the incident, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Head Bridge Market, Chinedu Ezekwike, said the fire was promptly brought under control following swift intervention by authorities.
“There was a serious fire outbreak last night at the Plumbing Material Section. We contacted the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area around midnight, and he immediately mobilised the fire service, who responded quickly and extinguished the fire,” he said.
Ezekwike commended traders, market leaders, and emergency responders for their efforts in containing the blaze.
Also confirming the incident, the Anambra State Fire Service said the cause of the fire remains unknown but described the outbreak as significant.
“A fire occurred at the market late Friday night. It destroyed some plumbing and building materials, but we were able to save a large portion of goods. Our personnel are still on ground,” the agency stated.
