A fire outbreak on Saturday evening damaged parts of Practicing Primary School located within St. Stephen Anglican Church, Umubelu, Awka, Anambra State. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started due to bush burning and spread to the roofing materials of the school’s classroom blocks. The blaze lasted for several minutes before firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service arrived and contained it.
Chukwudi Chiketa, head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident.
He said, “On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at about 4:40 pm, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call reporting 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.”
Chiketa urged residents to take precautions during the dry season by clearing bushes and grasses around their homes, schools, and businesses to reduce fire risks.
Shops Damaged in Onitsha Plaza Fire
Earlier the same day, another fire broke out at Lord’s Plaza in the Onitsha Main Market, near the United Bank of Africa. Two lock-up shops on the ground floor were damaged, although the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Chiketa recounted, “At about 6:10 am, a distressed woman rushed into one of our fire stations in Onitsha to report a fire outbreak at the plaza. Firefighters quickly responded and contained the blaze. There was no casualty, and the team returned to the station by 7:58 am.”
Fire at Nnamdi Azikiwe University
On Friday, a fire incident was reported behind the Security Office of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The fire service received the call at 4:05 pm and promptly deployed a team to extinguish the flames. No damage or injuries were recorded.
In response to these incidents, Chiketa emphasized, “Be fire-conscious. Fire kills, but we can prevent it.”
As the dry season progresses, residents are advised to adhere to fire safety measures to avoid further occurrences.
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