Midnight Inferno Razes 28 Apartments, Shops In Okpoko
A sudden return of electricity turned into a nightmare for residents of Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, as a raging overnight fire destroyed a residential block and several shops, leaving dozens of families and traders counting heavy losses.
The fire broke out at about 2:00 a.m. on Monday at No. 32 Orumba Street, shortly after power supply was restored to the area.
The blaze gutted a building containing 28 apartments as well as multiple shops on the premises.
Landlord of the property, Mr Kingsley Oguejiofor, said he was alerted by the frantic shouts of tenants, but by the time he got outside, the building was already engulfed in flames.
Efforts by residents to contain the fire proved futile as it spread rapidly, destroying homes and businesses within minutes.
Several affected shop owners said they rushed to the scene after receiving distress calls, only to find their shops reduced to ashes.
Many lamented that they had just restocked their goods, describing the incident as a devastating start to the new year.
Although the exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, residents suspect that an electrical surge following the restoration of power may have triggered the inferno.
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