From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
A fire outbreak has destroyed a section of the Enugu Timber Market in Enugu South Local Government Area, causing damage to property worth several millions of naira.
The cause of the fire, which occurred around 6 p.m. on Saturday, is yet to be ascertained.
This comes barely six months after a similar inferno in the market.
The fire caused severe damage, destroying several shops containing timber, finished products like wooden doors, and heavy-duty machines.
Some of the affected traders reported seeing thick smoke rising from the market as flames rapidly spread through the wooden structures, consuming a substantial quantity of timber and machinery.
Firefighters from the Enugu State Fire Service responded promptly to distress calls from the traders and residents, racing to the scene to battle the inferno.
An eyewitness said the firemen worked hard to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other shops.
Despite their efforts, the intensity of the fire posed considerable challenges, leading to fears for the safety of individuals in the vicinity.
However, no casualties have been reported, though several traders suffered significant financial losses due to the destruction of their goods.
The chairman of the Enugu Timber Association, Ugochukwu Nwatu, stated that the cause of the fire could not be immediately determined but confirmed that the inferno affected many shops belonging to timber dealers.
The Director of the Enugu State Fire Service, Okwudiri Ohaa, who is also the state’s Chief Fire Officer, said that there was no loss of life in the incident.
According to him, it took the quick intervention of the state fire station in the market to begin battling the fire while calling for assistance from the Federal Fire Service headquarters.
“Four other fire trucks and a water tanker, as well as assistance from officers and men of the Federal Fire Service, worked to put the inferno under control.
“Before arriving, due to the way stalls are built in the market, a stretch of a line in the market had been badly affected by the inferno.
“We were able to extinguish it, and we are also on the ground now to ensure that no remnant of the fire will resurface.
“We sincerely thank the Federal Fire Service for assisting us in putting out the fire and forestalling further damage,” he said.