Just in: Exploded fuel tanker fire at Upper Iweka, sweeps Ochanja main market
Due to bad road at Onitsha, Anambra State, a 45 litres fuel tanker heading Enugu from Warri in Delta State ran into a deep gallop at Upper Iweka, exploded and burst in flames with thick black smoke.
Business Hilights South East Bureau chief reporting from the scene, gave the following details on phone, saying “The inferno which raged immediately the tanker felled started from Upper Iweka market and because emergency services especially, the Fire Service did not come within the first one hour, the fire raged into Ochanja Main market, one of the largest market in Onitsha.
“Some banks (names with held) were shattered even though some eyewitnesses say there are speculations that some people were trapped or burnt inside one particular bank (name with held).
“Though this particular report is yet to be confirmed as none of the fire fighting agencies including Federal and State Fire Service, were seen at the scene of the inferno which completely razed shops facing the Expressway.
“It will be very hard to confirm if the fire penetrated deep into the market, even though several traders that escaped said the fire will raze everything because in Ochanja Market, there is little or no space between shops.
“Apart from banks, several filling stations were razed and major shopping plazas facing the Expressway and deep into the main market.
“As am talking you, over 500 shops have gone between Upper Iweka and Ochanja and the fire destroyed several two, three and four storey buildings along the line of the fire.
…More details underway.
