A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday at a residential building located at No. 12 Nkisi Aroli Street, behind St. Charles College in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying property and sparking panic among residents.
According to The PUNCH eyewitnesses said the fire began from a section of the building and rapidly spread, fueled by delays in response due to poor road accessibility. Although there were no casualties, the entire building and items within were consumed by the flames.
One resident, who witnessed the incident, said, “We noticed the fire starting from one end of the building. It grew quickly and before help could come, the building was already engulfed. The firefighters couldn’t get close because of how tight the area is.”
Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident and revealed that two firefighting trucks and crews were dispatched immediately after a distress call was received. However, the team faced significant obstacles reaching the scene.
“The fire trucks couldn’t get to the building because the roads were blocked by closely packed structures,” explained Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa, in an official statement. “Our men had to connect hoses from a distance of about four poles to tackle the fire.”
The fire was eventually brought under control, and firefighters left the scene by 12:05 p.m. on the same day. The cause of the fire remains unknown at the time of reporting.
Chiketa used the opportunity to urge homeowners and community leaders to prioritize access roads in their developments. “This experience is regrettable. Our firefighters arrived early but couldn’t intervene effectively due to inaccessible roads. Communities must ensure emergency vehicles can access their areas easily,” he said.
He further called on residents to support emergency responders by maintaining open roadways and ensuring security during operations.
