By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Fire Service has rescued goods worth multi-billion naira during a New Year eve inferno that broke out at Orba International Market within Udenu Local Government Area in the state. The Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Mr Okwudiri Ohaa, disclosed this to journalists in Enugu on Monday.
Ohaa said that the timely intervention of officers and men of the service in its station in the Udenu council area prevented the fire from moving from its initial starting market line to other lines within the international market.
The director, who could not ascertain the cause of the fire, said that the state fire service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire in record time. “Immediately we got the information, and our office in Udenu area responded swiftly, and extinguished the fire from destroying more property in the big international market; thus, rescuing and saving multi-billion naira worth of goods.
“I must appreciate residents that contacted us on time, and I commend our gallant operatives that responded swiftly,” he said. A resident of Orba community where the market is domiciled, Mazi Sunday Eze, said that shops affected are those selling foams, gallons, drinks, provisions, and other materials.
“Millions of naira have been lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops in that line were completely destroyed. It is sad to enter the New Year with such a disaster.
“However, we thank the Enugu State Fire Service for responding on time and securing the market from fire escalation,” Eze added.
