Two separate midnight fire outbreaks have destroyed shops and goods in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The incidents occurred at Nwafor Plaza, off Oby Okoli Avenue by UNIZIK Junction, Okpuno Road, and at Igiligi Lane, off Godwill Junction, Okpuno — all in Awka South Local Government Area.
The first fire broke out shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday at Nwafor Plaza, while the second was reported after midnight at Igiligi Lane. No casualties were recorded in either incident, but property and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Eyewitnesses said the Nwafor Plaza fire began shortly after electricity was restored, with smoke seen rising from a corner of the building before the flames escalated rapidly.
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Residents and neighbours made efforts to contain the blaze, but several shops — including those stocked with textile materials — were already affected before firefighters arrived. In total, at least four shops were razed across both locations. The cause of the Igiligi Lane fire remains under investigation.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed a prompt response to both distress calls. According to the Media and Publicity Unit of the Fire Service, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, emergency calls were received at 11:08 p.m. and 12:08 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of firefighting crews.
The fires were successfully contained, preventing further spread to adjoining buildings, and operations concluded before 1:30 a.m.
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