A midday explosion rocked Ogbogwu International Market Bridge Head Onitsha, which has claimed many lives while destroying goods worth millions of naira.
Over 5 people were reportedly killed by the explosion, while many others sustained various degrees of injury during the inferno. Many have been rushed to the nearby White Chapel Hospital, Uzodinma Street, Fegge Onitsha South LGA, while others where refered to Nnamdi Azikiwe Hospital Nnewi (NAUTH) Anambra state.
The inferno, which started at about 12noon on Tuesday, November 8, destroyed goods and buildings worth over N10 billion; according to a trader in the market, Mr Amobi Okanume.
Okanume, who said that the cause of the fire was unknown, said it was the first time the market was suffering fire disaster.
The cause of the inferno, which affected a section of the market, is yet to be ascertained although many of the traders suspect that it was a bomb explosion while others said it was as a result of chemical reactions.
Director, Fire Service in the State, Engr. Martin Agbili confirmed the fire incident but said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The Fire service department in Asaba as well as the military fire service unit of the 302 military cantonment where at hand to quell the inferno.
Another trader in the market simply known as Ozigi, claimed that the fire started when an explosion occured in one of the buildings at the Chemical Line of the Market.
He said, "I was in the market at about 11am, when an explosion occured, and every trader started running helter skelter, scampering for safety.
"The explosion sparked fire that affected over 70 shops, destroying goods worth several billions of naira. Apart from goods and property, about 5 persons - 4 men and a woman were trapped; and they are not yet rescued as we speak," he narrated.
As at the time our reporter arrived at the scene of the incident, many traders were stranded, some wailing, some evacuating their goods in trucks and vehicles.
When contacted, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu said the explosion was caused by gaseous substance in the chemical section of the market.