Monday, June 29, 2026

Fire razes Onitsha plastic market

Some of the items destroyed by the fire included plastic buckets, drums, baskets, chairs and tables, among others.

• March 5, 2021
Fire outbreak
A fire outbreak used to illustrate the story [Photo credit: The Guardian Nigeria]

A Friday morning fire destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira at Amobi plastic market, Onitsha in Anambra.

A witness, who pleaded anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the raging fire was discovered at about 2:00 a.m. at a plaza section of the market.

The source said residents and later, police officers, assisted to quell the fire using buckets of water until firefighters from the state Fire Service arrived about 30 minutes later.

Some of the items destroyed by the fire included plastic buckets, drums, baskets, chairs and tables, among others.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara, CSP Haruna Mohammed, said there was no reported case of loss of life or injury sustained during the incident.

“Police operatives led by DPO Central Police Station, Onitsha, SP Ifeanyi Iburu, quickly mobilised to the scene and cordoned-off the area to prevent looting and further catastrophe.

“Fire Service was equally contacted and they responded promptly, and the fire was extinguished with the help of firefighters and other sympathisers in the area,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed said an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the extent of damage and circumstances surrounding the incident.

He advised the public to always apply safety precautions by switching-off all electrical appliances in their homes, shops and workplaces when not in use to avert such ugly incidents.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

2026 World Cup

Heading 2

2026 World Cup Attendance: About five million spectators watched first-round matches at stadiums

The 72 games played in 16 host cities of three host countries (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), featured 999 players. The World Cup features 48 nations and 1,248 players.

ROAD CRASH

States

Five killed in Niger road crash

Five persons died, and eight others sustained critical injuries in a road crash on Sunday in Agaie, Agaie council area of Niger.

Mosquitoes, drones

Health

Sri Lanka launches military drones to fight mosquitoes amid dengue fever outbreak

The use of a drone is part of a three-day nationwide dengue prevention campaign aimed at eliminating Aedes mosquitoes’ breeding grounds.

Department of Homeland Security

Economy

Real estate developer charged with bribery, selling ‘Homeland Security’ ID cards

Although Mr Davidovitz was not authorised to sell the DHS insignia or any colourable imitation of it, he received approximately $30,000 in proceeds from the sale of these cards.

Social Security Administration

World

U.S.-based Akeatha Diane Akintola jailed for stealing disabled minor’s social security benefits

“Ms Akintola did not just fail in that duty. She weaponised her position of power to systematically steal from a grieving, autistic child,” said an official.

Omoyele Sowore and SSS agents

Opinion

The reckless hounding of Omoyele Sowore

The news publisher and activist may irritate the powerful, offend the cautious, and exhaust those who prefer gentler politics, but his characteristics are not crimes.