Midnight Fire Destroys Goods Worth Millions In Umuahia

A devastating midnight fire on Friday destroyed goods worth millions of naira in a double wholesale shop along the Umuohu Okpula Ndume axis of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road in Umuahia, Abia State.

The incident occurred just six days after a similar fire outbreak gutted another shop along Abriba Street by Owerri Road in the same city.

The shop owner, Mrs. Abigail Uzodinma, narrated her ordeal in tears, expressing shock over the mysterious fire. She stated there was no power supply or flammable materials in the shop at the time, making the cause of the fire unclear. According to her, she was alerted around midnight with a call informing her that her shop—stocked with goods worth millions—was engulfed in flames.

Items consumed by the fire included bags of rice, garri, condiments, and other valuable merchandise. She estimated her losses at about ₦70 million and appealed to the Abia State Government and well-meaning individuals for assistance to help repay debts and restart her business.

Prompt intervention by men of the Abia State Fire Service and local residents helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.

In a separate incident, a 43-year-old businesswoman, Mrs. Njideka Okoye, reported that thieves broke into her shop at World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, and carted away all 70 bags of rice stored inside. The burglary occurred just a few days after she moved into the shop.

Mrs. Okoye is also appealing for support and has called on authorities to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the theft.