Anambra Office Building Destroyed By Fire

A fire erupted at a one-storey building widely known as the MTN Office in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.

According to PUNCH Online, the fire started in the early hours of Sunday and burned for several minutes before the state fire service arrived to bring it under control.

Although no casualties were reported and the cause of the fire remains unknown, it reportedly destroyed the building’s roof along with several offices and properties inside, with firefighters preventing it from spreading further.

An eyewitness near the scene, who also resides in the area, said, “Thick smoke suddenly started from one of the rooms on the first floor of the building and within some minutes turned into fire, it escalated to the roof of the building and other offices.

“It burned for some time before the intervention of the firefighters. The firefighters arrived at the scene at about 3 am and battled the fire for some hours before they eventually put it out.

“The incident created panic around the vicinity, especially for residents nearby, because of the closeness of the houses, as everybody was on red alert and also assisting the firefighters to ensure the situation was under control.”

The Anambra State Fire Service Media and Publicity Unit, led by state fire chief Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

He said a team of firefighters, equipped with firefighting gear, was promptly dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call.

Chiketa said, “In the early hours of Sunday, September 28, 2025, at about 3:18 am, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at a one-storey building popularly known as the ‘MTN Office’, located at No. 95 Ziks Avenue, by Ogbugbankwa Junction, Awka, in Awka South LGA.

“A crew of firefighters, with firefighting equipment, was immediately deployed to the scene. The fire was swiftly contained, preventing it from spreading further.

“Before it was extinguished, the outbreak affected the roof of the building as well as a few offices and properties therein. The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, as investigations are currently ongoing.

“The firefighting crew successfully completed the operation and withdrew from the scene at about 4:50 am the same day.”

He advised the public to always turn off electrical appliances when not in use, avoid overloading sockets and extension cords, and conduct regular inspections of electrical installations in homes, offices, and shops.

“Keep fire extinguishers handy and accessible at all times; report any fire outbreak promptly by calling the fire service emergency lines. Prevention remains the most effective way to avert fire disasters,” Chiketa concluded.

Source: Informationng