The governor of Anambra State, professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has lamented the unfortunate fire incident that occurred on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Ifejika Street, Sokoto Road, Onitsha, during which shops and goods worth millions of naira were burnt.
Governor Soludo in a statement issued by his spokesman, Christian Aburime, extended his sincere sympathies to the affected traders and property owners impacted by this distressing event.
“The unfortunate fire incident destroyed two four-story buildings and damaged a third. Thankfully, no lives were lost, though significant property and goods were lost.
“However, the unfortunate incident underscores a re-emphasis on public caution against the use of residential areas as unauthorised warehouses, considering the fact that obstructed access roads severely hindered firefighting efforts from the information gathered
“Therefore, developers and landlords are strongly advised to adhere strictly to building standards, secure permits from relevant government agencies, and ensure no obstruction to access roads for emergency vehicles in case of distress”, the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Governor Soludo has directed relevant agencies to intensify collaboration with traders and residents to enforce safety regulations, while accelerated investigations are being carried out to determine the remote and immediate causes of the inferno to prevent future occurrences.