A fire outbreak has razed parts of a plastic manufacturing company along Umuoji Road in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying goods and equipment worth millions of naira.
The incident, which occurred late on Saturday, was reportedly triggered by welding activities carried out within the company premises earlier in the day.
Although no life was lost in the inferno, several valuable items, including raw materials, production machines, finished plastic products, chemical drums and parts of the factory building, were damaged by the fire.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze started from one section of the complex before thick smoke spread across the area, causing panic among residents and business owners nearby.
According to residents, the fire burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived at the scene and successfully prevented it from spreading to adjoining structures.
“One side of the factory suddenly went up in flames and thick smoke covered the area. The fire raged for some time before firefighters arrived to contain it,” an eyewitness said.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters were immediately deployed after the agency received a distress call.
He explained that the emergency team battled the blaze for several hours before bringing the situation under control.
“The Anambra State Fire Service successfully contained a fire outbreak at a plastic manufacturing company located along Umuoji Road, Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area,” the statement partly read.
“The service received a distress call at about 5:20pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and firefighters were immediately mobilised to the scene.
“On arrival, the crew engaged the fire with professionalism and courage until it was completely extinguished.”
Chiketa said the fire affected raw materials used in plastic production, sections of the building, production equipment, finished products and chemical containers stored within the premises.
He, however, noted that the prompt intervention of firefighters helped save substantial property from destruction.
“Thankfully, no casualty was recorded during the incident,” he added.
According to preliminary findings by the fire service, the blaze was linked to welding operations carried out on the premises earlier in the day.
The agency urged residents and industrial operators to observe strict safety measures while handling welding equipment and other heat-generating activities to avoid similar incidents.
Chiketa also commended the firefighters for their commitment and bravery during the operation, noting that they withdrew from the scene in the early hours of Sunday after fully containing the fire.
