Engr. Chigozie Ugwu, the fire service personnel, lost his life in the course of duty trying to put out the fire that engulfed not less than forty shops at the motor spare parts market in Coal Camp, Enugu state on Wednesday.
Speaking to newsmen on the unfortunate incident, the President of the Spare Parts Market, Mr. Mike Nomeh, said the fire escalated with the explosion of a gas cylinder used for cooking in a restaurant located within the market.
“The incident, which happened at about 01:00 a.m. on Wednesday, had over 40 shops and other ancillaries burnt to ashes.”
Narrating the mishap, Nomeh said when the security personnel in the market noticed a shop burning in the middle of the night; they tried to break into the shop but could not due to the heavy protector used to lock the shop.
The fire then got into a nearby restaurant and the explosion of their gas cylinder caused the fire to spread to other nearby shops; the fire had engulfed many shops before the arrival of the firefighters.
Speaking about the deceased, the Enugu State Chief Fire Officer, Okwudili Ohaa described the incidence as unfortunate, painful, and a big loss to Enugu State Fire Service.
“Engr. Chigozie Ugwu (the officer who died in the incident) was always dedicated to duty and was ever ready to respond to emergencies.”
“Chigozie Ugwu is one officer who many times does not bother about his rank. Rather than send his juniors to respond to emergencies, he would prefer to be there himself. It was very unfortunate that he died after putting off the raging fire.”
“We miss him, and may his soul rest in peace,” Ohaa said.
The Coal Camp Motor Spare Parts Market is an auto parts market with stores and workshops dealing in Caterpillar spare parts, Mitsubishi parts, Toyota parts, engines, lubricants, tires, and other related automotive products and services.
- Gov. Peter Mbah, Others Join APC, Says PDP No Longer A Viable Vehicle - October 14, 2025
- NWC Dissolves APC Enugu State Exco, Constitutes Caretaker Committee - October 11, 2025
- Multiple Accidents Claim 10 Lives at 4-corner Enugu-Portharcourt Expressway - September 4, 2025