95-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIES AS FIRE RAZES RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN ONITSHA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A 95-year-old woman has lost her life after a fire gutted a residential building at Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The fire, whose cause is yet to be determined, reportedly started in one of the apartments in the two-storey building at about 5:15 p.m. on Friday before spreading to adjoining apartments. The inferno was eventually brought under control after several hours by officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, with assistance from residents and passersby.
Sources said the blaze caused extensive damage estimated to run into several millions of naira. Despite frantic efforts to rescue occupants and extinguish the fire, the elderly woman was reportedly trapped for hours and did not survive.
A resident of the building, identified simply as Uche, described the incident as a terrifying experience.
“It was a fearful moment when thick smoke and fire suddenly engulfed part of the building and began spreading rapidly. There were shouts and panic as tenants and neighbours tried desperately to put out the fire before firefighters arrived. Sadly, an elderly woman who was trapped did not survive,” he said.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters were deployed to the scene following a distress call.
“A fire outbreak occurred at No. 9 Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, Onitsha North Local Government Area on Friday. The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at about 5:08 p.m. and promptly mobilised personnel and a fire truck to the scene,” Chiketa said.
He explained that firefighters battled the inferno and successfully prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings, adding that the crew returned to the station at about 7:45 p.m.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations are ongoing. Sadly, a 95-year-old woman was trapped during the incident, and one casualty was recorded,” he added.
Chiketa reiterated the Fire Service’s commitment to protecting lives and property and advised residents to remain vigilant, be fire-conscious and promptly report fire emergencies for swift response.
The incident comes days after a similar fire outbreak on January 27, which gutted a residential building at Orumba Street, Okpoko, in Ogbaru Local Government Area, destroying at least 28 apartments and several shops. No casualties were recorded in that incident, although it caused widespread panic and significant property loss.
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