Fire Ravages School, Shops in Anambra Community

A fire damaged parts of the Practicing Primary School building located within St. Stephen Anglican Church in Umubelu, Awka, Anambra State, on Sunday evening.

Although no injuries were reported, sources indicated that the fire began from bush burning on Saturday night, affecting some sections of the school’s classroom roofing materials.

Eyewitnesses in the area informed journalists that the fire burned for several minutes before the state fire service arrived and successfully prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Upon inquiry, Chukwudi Chiketa, the head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident to reporters, stating that a team of firefighters and essential equipment were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they successfully controlled 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 urged people to refrain from any activities that could trigger a fire, particularly during the dry season.

He also stressed the importance of clearing bushes and grasses in and around residential areas, workplaces, shops, industrial sites, schools, and religious institutions, among others.

In another related event, a fire broke out at Lord’s Plaza in the Onitsha Main Market, near Emeka Ofor, opposite the United Bank of Africa.

Although the exact cause of the fire is unknown, reports indicated that two lock-up attachment shops on the ground floor of the plaza were damaged.

The state fire service chief, who confirmed the incident, 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 also confirmed a fire outbreak behind the Security Office at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Campus in Awka.

The report revealed that the alert was received around 4:05 PM on Friday.

In response, a team of firefighters, with necessary firefighting equipment, was quickly 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 stated.