The Enugu State Fire Service has saved goods worth millions of naira during a New Year’s Eve inferno that broke out at Orba International Market within the Udenu Local Government Area of the state.

The director of Enugu State Fire Service, Okwudiri Ohaa, disclosed this to journalists in Enugu on Monday.

Mr Ohaa said the timely intervention of service officers prevented the fire from affecting the entire international market.

The director, who could not ascertain the cause of the fire, said the state fire service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire in record time.

“Immediately after we got the information, our office in the Udenu area responded swiftly and extinguished the fire to avoid further destruction of more goods in the big international market.

“I must appreciate residents that contacted us on time, and I commend our gallant operatives that responded swiftly,” he said.

A resident of the community where the market is domiciled, Sunday Eze, said shops affected are those selling foam, gallons, drinks, provisions, and other materials.

“Millions of naira have been lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops in that line were completely destroyed.

“It is sad to begin the New Year with such a disaster.

“However, we thank the Enugu State Fire Service for responding on time and securing the market from fire escalation,” Mr Eze said. 

(NAN)