About four persons have been allegedly declared dead and multiple properties destroyed after a fiery explosion rocked a popular chemical lab in Onitsha market, Anambra State on Tuesday.
The inferno which resulted in lost of lives and properties worth millions of Naira is reported to have started around 12.10pm on Tuesday when chemicals stored in one of the shops along the Progressive Science Union Line exploded.
According to Mr Emeka Orji, Chairman of Onitsha South local government area, ” Four persons were confirmed dead while 12 persons so far were injured”.
The four people who died were traders who were running for safety but unfortunately lost their lives in a stampede when the fire started while the injured persons were moved to the nearest hospital. About 80 shops were also recorded burnt in the explosion.
A statement signed by the Director of the Anambra Fire Services, Martin Agbili, has it that the incident took place at the Science and Lab Line of Ogbo Ogwu Market not the entire Ogbo Ogwu Market, Onitsha.
“It is really a terrible situation but the fire is under control now. The vibration from the explosions caused the collapse of some market buildings. A lot of safety measures have been taken to protect the entire market. There are casualties but we can’t ascertain the actual number of death and the injured,” he said.
