By CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI- Goods and household property worth more than N20 million were lost in a midnight inferno that razed a storey building at Umuihi, Isinweke, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.

A four-room shop stocked with goods was also razed while a family was rendered homeless.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the fire started at about 11pm and consumed goods, including varying brands and models of sewing machines.

Other items reportedly lost in the inferno included vulcanizing machines, vehicle tyres, welding machines, assorted clothing materials, household equipment and personal effects.

Nobody could readily say what caused the fire but Vanguard gathered that it first started from a tailor’s shop and later spread to the adjoining carpenter’s workshop.

Sympathizers and neighbours, who rushed to the scene, fought relentlessly to stop the fire from spreading to other buildings and business premises.