Traders at the Ogbo Ogwu, Bridge Head Market Onitsha were in the early hours of Tuesday thrown into a state of confusion when some sections of the market was gutted by fire.
When the ABS Crew arrived at the scene, it was observed that men of the Anambra and Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Army, Police, Red Cross and Federal Road Safety Commission were on ground making frantic efforts to control the spread of the fire and the traders were seen struggling to secure their goods.
Some of the traders who spoke to the ABS said they were going about their normal businesses when they heard an explosive sound that shook various buildings and threw some people out of their shops.
Two persons were feared to have died instantly, while efforts were made to rescue persons trapped in some of the collapsed buildings.
As at the time of filing this report, no one could say the actual cause of the explosion but the traders suspected a chemical explosion.
ABS crew also spotted liquid suspected to be chemicals and blood stains at the scene.
Efforts to speak with the market leadership proved abortive as they were busy assisting to curtail the spread of the fire .
Meanwhile, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike joined in the rescue operation of injured persons during the fire incident that engulfed Ogbo-Ogwu International Market, Onitsha.
Dr. Obidike who was present at the scene of the incident commended the efforts of the State Fire Service, market leaders and other good-spirited individuals for their commitment to rescuing the affected persons as well as conveying them to hospitals for treatment.
The Commissioner explained that his visits to Delta state and White Specialist Hospitals were to ensure that those who sustained various degrees of injuries were receiving adequate medical attention.
Dr. Obidike noted that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been briefed of the incident.
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