A tragic fire outbreak has claimed the life of a 95-year-old woman after a two-storey residential building was gutted by flames in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at No. 9 Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, in Onitsha North Local Government Area. The elderly woman was reportedly trapped inside one of the apartments as the fire spread rapidly through the building.
Although the exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, eyewitnesses said the inferno began in one of the apartments at about 5:15 pm before extending to adjoining rooms. Thick smoke and flames quickly engulfed sections of the building, triggering panic among residents and neighbours.
A resident of the area, identified simply as Uche, described the incident as frightening and chaotic.
“It was a terrible moment. Thick smoke and fire suddenly filled the compound, and people started shouting and running for safety. Everyone tried to help, but unfortunately, the elderly woman who was trapped inside did not survive,” he said.
Residents and passersby reportedly made frantic efforts to contain the fire before the arrival of firefighters. Despite their efforts, the blaze caused extensive damage, with property losses estimated to run into several millions of naira.
Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service later arrived at the scene and eventually brought the fire under control after several hours of intense firefighting.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call shortly after the outbreak.
According to the statement signed by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, firefighters were immediately deployed alongside a fire truck to combat the inferno.
“A fire outbreak occurred at No. 9 Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, Onitsha North Local Government Area on Friday. The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at about 5:08 pm and promptly mobilised its personnel to the scene,” the statement read.
Chiketa said firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
“The fire was successfully brought under control, and further damage to adjoining structures was prevented. The fire service crew returned to the station at about 7:45 pm the same day,” he added.
He confirmed that one casualty was recorded in the incident, noting that a 95-year-old woman was trapped during the fire.
“The cause of the fire is yet unknown, and investigations are ongoing,” the fire chief said.
The Anambra State Fire Service also used the opportunity to advise residents to be more safety-conscious, urging them to promptly report fire emergencies to enable a swift response.
“The service reiterates its commitment to protecting lives and property and encourages residents to remain vigilant to avoid fire incidents,” the statement added.
Efforts to reach the landlord of the building for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The incident adds to a growing list of recent fire outbreaks in parts of Anambra State. Just days earlier, an early-morning fire razed a residential building in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, destroying over 28 apartments and several shops. Although no lives were lost in that incident, residents suffered heavy property losses.
Fire outbreaks have remained a recurring challenge in many urban centres across the state, often linked to electrical faults, unsafe cooking practices, or overcrowded residential structures.
Authorities have continued to call on residents to observe fire safety measures and ensure that emergency numbers are readily accessible, especially in densely populated neighbourhoods.
