Nigeria Needs To Prevent The Incessant Fires In Our Open Market

What is going on in Onitsha Main Market these days: “At about 1.02 a.m. on Saturday [Dec 17, 2022], the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a fire outbreak at No 4 Ajasa Street, Ose Main Market, Onitsha, where they sell chemicals”?

There is hardly a month that we do not have a fire outbreak in Africa’s largest open market. Just before the pandemic, I was with His Imperial Majesty, Ezeuzu of Awka, and we discussed extensively how to deepen knowledge in this market along with traders in Awka. It was on that strength that Tekedia Institute signed the strategic partnership we have with Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

In that market, many proudly wear our Tekedia Mini-MBA t-shirts because they come here to take a course we specifically created with them in mind – “Personal Finance and Wealth Management”. Yes, we want that paralysis where Eze Ego (the king of money) becomes a beggar, just years after retirement, because he did not plan ahead, to end. We also went ahead and developed the Igba BOI (Igbo apprenticeship system) course to deepen best practices and strengthen operations.

I like containers, trading and I am calling the federal and state governments to find a lasting solution to these incessant fire outbreaks in this market. Help these open markets; Kano is also having its dose of fire outbreaks.

• The statement reads, ‘’At about 1.02 a.m. on Saturday, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a fire outbreak at No 4 Ajasa Street, Ose Main Market, Onitsha, where they sell chemicals.
• “We immediately deployed our fire trucks and our ever-ready and fearless firefighters to the fire scene. We swift into action, battling the fire, controlled and fought it to a standstill.
• “The cause of the fire was unknown as nobody was there when it started. Although, the fire destroyed about three shops no life was lost during the heavy fire”, he said.
• ”A lot was saved as we prevented the fire from spreading to other shops around the fire incident scene.
• “It is important to know that we must always switch off of our electrical and electronic appliances especially when it is not in use.
• “We must also know that we are at the peak of the harmattan. Avoid anything which can cause fire outbreak at this season.” 

Director/Fire Chief of Anambra Fire Service, Mr. Martin Agbili

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: Poor electrical maintenance and installation with I don’t care attitude of chops owners are the major causes of fire ? outbreak 

My Response: I do not buy that argument. A market is owned by the state/LGA and there is no reason that the government cannot enforce standards. Do we need regular inspections then?

Comment 2: Most of the chemical traders are not aware of the reactivity of the chemicals when they are put together, they don’t understand it is not all chemicals that should be parked together, they need a good awareness, it breaks my heart anytime they loose money through avoidable fire outbreak. Safety must be put first.

Comment 3: Once we realize that anything can be a fuel, we must then take heed.

Fire needs three conditions

1. Fuel. A burning material (fuel, meaning anything can be a fuel. Some are more better than others. For example a bed mattress with foam is highly flammable more faster than some wood). Sure, in dry season the moist content is less, so easier to burn or get heat up.

2. Oxygen. (mostly in the air, but other material like water can easily or slowly by heat reaction produce more oxygen to add more flame).

3. Ignition/Heat . A single spark. A single increase in temperature. A single collision or pressure.
All of these go together in complex ways cause fire. (If not intentionally caused).

Firstly, periodic electrical systems check are needed, and rules must be complied by all users, from main to consumer point.

Second. A regulation or survey based on the inventories of different shop members is needed to sort the arrangement and organization of possible ignition and easily flammable material.

Thirdly, we don’t only need security guards, but also FIRE GUARDS (constantly to be stationed with technical knowledge of flames and it’s safety). For example, they might be always checking the quality of extinguishers, hose.. etc.?

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