Fire fighters who rushed to the rescue of victims of fire incident at Oraukwu Crescent/Nkpor Old road, near Afor Nkpor market, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, reportedly escaped death by whiskers Sunday when fire gutted about 10 shops and a residential building.
The inferno, reportedly caused by power surge resulted in stampede as customers in most drinking joints where the incident occurred scampered for safety.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Ojukwu Nnamdi said, “The fire started about 5pm from one of the shops while we were in another of the 10 shops, drinking.
“Suddenly we heard loud sound that sparked like a thunder light and before you know it the entire place was engulfed by thick smoke.
“We then rushed out and used sand and other items within reach to quench it but to no avail as it continued to extend to other shops. We continued in our effort but the fire resisted our efforts.
“For about 30 minutes we were fighting the inferno but it worsened and by then half of the shops and residential building have been razed completely.
“As we continued the fight, personnel of the fire service stormed the place and in anger, angry youths stoned them and they ran away with their truck.
“The fire men were pursued and their vehicle damaged on the process but they managed and escaped with it,” he further explained.
Also reacting, a resident of the area who pleaded anonymity said, “God saved the fire service men because the angry youths were ready to lynch them for coming late to the scene of the incident.
“However, the entire shops and a residential building were destroyed beyond recognition as the fire resisted efforts to quench it.
“Goods worth millions of naira, that were mostly provisions in the about 10 shops, POS services, salon, among others, were damaged beyond recognition by the ravaging inferno.
“No life was lost but scores sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of stampede. Gas cylinders stored in some of the shops were said to have escalated the inferno,” he disclosed further.
Victims were still counting their losses and calling for government’s intervention as at time of filing the report.
