An early morning fire on Wednesday gutted several shops at the Electronics Parts Market in Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying goods and property estimated to be worth millions of naira.

No casualties were reported, but the inferno reportedly consumed about five shops in a single building, affecting wares ranging from electrical appliances to electronic parts.

The market, located along a busy road, saw victims wailing over losses they said took decades to accumulate.

One of the affected shop owners lamented, “I had just restocked my shop twice before the tragic incident occurred.”

Eyewitnesses said the exact cause of the fire could not be immediately determined, but a power surge was suspected. Officials quickly responded on the scene, disconnecting electric cables to prevent electrocution.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident. Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa said his team responded swiftly to a distress call and contained the blaze.

“The fire started at about 9 am, and our men and equipment were deployed immediately to the scene,” Chiketa said.

“The affected building is a one-storey structure. The inferno consumed about five shops upstairs, which contained electronics and parts. The good part is that it has been controlled, and there was no loss of life. Many shops upstairs and downstairs were saved.”

Chiketa said the cause of the fire was still under investigation and urged residents and traders to remain vigilant.

“Every store owner should acquire fire extinguishers as a precautionary measure before the fire service arrives,” he advised. (PUNCH)