BREAKING: Fire Destroys School, Shops In Anambra Community

Fire damaged portions of the Practicing Primary School building within St. Stephen Anglican Church in Umubelu, Awka, Anambra State, on Sunday evening.

While there were no reported injuries, reports stated that the fire originated from bush burning that took place late on Saturday, impacting some sections of the roofing materials of the school’s classroom blocks.

According to the PUNCH, eyewitnesses in the area told journalists that the fire raged for several minutes before the state fire service arrived and successfully prevented it from spreading to adjacent structures.

Upon inquiry, the head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident to newsmen, stating that a team of firefighters and necessary equipment were promptly dispatched to the location upon receiving the emergency call, and they effectively fought and contained the fire.

He said, “On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at about 4:40 pm, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call reporting about a bushfire outbreak at the Practicing Primary School, located inside St. Stephen Anglican Church, Umubelu, Awka, Anambra State.

“Immediately, a crew of firefighters and firefighting equipment were deployed to the scene, and the fire was fought and contained.

“The bushfire outbreak affected some parts of the roofing materials of the school’s classroom blocks but was stopped from further escalation by the Anambra firemen.

“There was no casualty recorded. The firefighters left the scene at 5:45 pm on the same day.”

He advised that, in light of the dry season, individuals should refrain from any activities that may ignite a fire.

He emphasized the importance of clearing bushes and grasses in and around residential areas, workplaces, retail establishments, industrial sites, educational institutions, and places of worship, among others.

In a related incident, a fire broke out at Lord’s Plaza, located in the Onitsha Main Market, near Emeka Ofor, across from the United Bank of Africa.

While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, reports indicate that two lock-up attachment shops on the ground floor of the plaza sustained damage.

Meanwhile, the state fire service chief, who confirmed the development, said, “Earlier in the morning at 6:10 am, a tensed-up woman ran into one of the Anambra State Fire Service Stations situated in Onitsha Main Market and reported the ongoing fire outbreak at the above-mentioned plaza.

“A crew of firefighters and firefighting equipment were immediately deployed to the scene, and the fire was contained.

“Two lock-up attachment shops on the ground floor were affected. There was no casualty. The firemen departed the scene and returned to the station at about 7:58 am the same morning.

“Be fire conscious. Fire kills, but we can prevent it.”

The Media and Publicity Unit of the state has verified an incident of a fire outbreak occurring behind the Security Office at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Campus in Awka.

The report indicated that the alert was received at approximately 4:05 PM on Friday.

In response, a team of firefighters, along with the necessary firefighting equipment, was promptly dispatched to the location, where they successfully managed to contain the fire.

“No damage nor casualty was recorded. The firemen withdrew from the scene at 05:09 pm on the same day,” the fire chief.