Midnight Fires Ravage Shops in Awka as Anambra Fire Service Battles to Contain Blazes

Residents of Awka were thrown into panic late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning as two separate fire incidents gutted shops and buildings in different parts of the city, destroying valuable property worth millions of naira.

NaijaChoice News gathered that the first outbreak occurred at Nwafor Plaza, off Oby Okoli Avenue by UNIZIK Junction along Okpuno Road, starting around 11:05 pm on February 24, 2026. The second incident struck at Igiligi Lane, off Godwill Junction in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area, at approximately 12:08 am on February 25, 2026.

Eyewitnesses at the scenes described chaotic moments as flames rapidly engulfed the affected areas. “The fire started with thick smoke from one corner of the plaza, and it spread so quickly,” said a local resident near Nwafor Plaza who spoke to NaijaChoice News on condition of anonymity. “We tried to put it out with buckets and whatever we could find, but the textile materials in some shops fueled it faster.”

According to reports, no fewer than four shops were razed in total across both locations, with buildings partially torched before firefighters arrived. Goods including clothing, electronics, and other merchandise were lost in the inferno, though fortunately, no lives were lost in either event.

Preliminary investigations point to a power surge as the cause of the Nwafor Plaza fire, which ignited shortly after electricity was restored in the area. The origin of the blaze at Igiligi Lane remains unclear and is still under probe by authorities.

The Anambra State Fire Service, under the leadership of Chukwudi Chiketa, responded swiftly to distress calls. In a statement obtained by NaijaChoice News, Chiketa detailed the operations: “Our team received the emergency call for Nwafor Plaza at exactly 2308 hours and deployed firefighters immediately. The fire was contained by 2359 hours, affecting two shops. For Igiligi Lane, the call came at 0008 hours, and we brought the situation under control by 0123 hours, also impacting two shops.”

Chiketa emphasized the service’s commitment to public safety, urging residents and business owners to install surge protectors, conduct regular electrical inspections, and report incidents promptly. “We advise proactive measures to prevent such occurrences,” he added.

This latest incident adds to a concerning pattern of fire outbreaks in Anambra State recently. Just days earlier, on February 21, a fire at Mechanic Village in Mgbuka Obosi was contained after affecting several structures, and on February 19, a blaze at Stanford Hotel Street in Awka was traced to a generator spark. Experts attribute the uptick to factors like faulty wiring, power fluctuations, and dry weather conditions during the harmattan season.

NaijaChoice News reached out to local authorities for further comments, but responses were pending at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, affected shop owners are counting their losses and calling for government assistance to rebuild.

As investigations continue, the Anambra State Fire Service has assured the public of its readiness to respond to emergencies. Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and prioritize safety in their daily operations.