No Life Lost as Fire Guts Bank, Bookshop, 10 Shops in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Property worth millions of naira was destroyed in three separate fire incidents that occurred in Awka and Onitsha, Anambra State, with a commercial bank, a bookshop and parts of a one-storey building among the structures affected.

The incidents, which occurred on Monday, August 10, 2026, and Tuesday, August 11, 2026, were recorded at Keystone Bank on Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha; a bookshop at No. 3 Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha; and a one-storey commercial building containing 10 shops on Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka.

However, no life was lost in any of the incidents, according to the Anambra State Fire Service.

The State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, who confirmed the incidents, said the prompt intervention of firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining sections of the affected buildings and surrounding structures.

According to him, the fire at Keystone Bank was caused by a power surge that affected the bank’s network equipment, while the blaze at the commercial building in Awka was suspected to have resulted from an electrical fault, possibly involving an electric iron that was left plugged in.

Giving details of the bank incident, Chiketa said the fire service received a distress call at about 9:08 a.m. on Monday concerning a fire outbreak at Keystone Bank, Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha.

He said, “The crew on duty immediately mobilised to the scene, where they discovered that the fire had affected only the bank’s network equipment/room.

“Through the prompt intervention of the firefighters, the fire was contained, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building and surrounding structures.”

Chiketa said the incident was attributed to a power surge affecting the network equipment, adding that no casualty was recorded.

In a separate incident at a bookshop on Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha, the Fire Service received a distress call at about 7:35 a.m.

He said firefighters promptly mobilised to the scene and worked to prevent the fire from spreading, although the cause of the outbreak had yet to be established.

“Fire Service personnel promptly responded to the incident and worked to contain the fire. The cause of the outbreak remains unknown at the time of this report,” Chiketa said.

He added that firefighters remained at the scene until they were satisfied that the situation had been brought under control before returning to the station at about 1:10 p.m.

Meanwhile, another fire incident occurred at Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka, where two shops on the first floor of a one-storey commercial building containing 10 shops were affected.

According to Chiketa, residents and other people in the neighbourhood alerted the fire service at about 12:05 p.m. on Monday.

“Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they found that the fire had affected two shops on the first floor of a one-storey commercial building containing ten shops,” he said.

He explained that the fire damaged roofing materials, portions of the walls and some properties stored inside the affected shops.

“The fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, possibly involving an electric iron that was left plugged in and overheated,” the Fire Chief said.

He added that firefighters successfully contained and extinguished the blaze before securing the scene and withdrawing at about 1:05 a.m.

The Fire Chief urged residents, business owners and property owners across the state to take basic fire safety precautions, particularly by avoiding the unattended use of electrical appliances.

He also advised residents to promptly report fire outbreaks to the emergency service, stressing that early intervention could prevent fires from escalating and causing greater damage.

Chiketa further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with firefighters whenever emergencies occur, saying such cooperation is essential to protecting lives and property.

The incidents underscore the need for improved electrical safety, regular inspection of electrical installations and greater public awareness of fire prevention measures in homes and business premises.