*Goods worth over N10bn destroyed

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

ONITSHA—PROPERTY including machines, office equipment and raw materials worth over N10 billion was, yesterday, destroyed by a mysterious fire that gutted Vin Val Industries Limited, located at Harbour Industrial Estate Atani Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra State

As at  4.30 pm, men of the Okpoko Ogbaru Local Government Area, LGA, and Nnewi Fire Service stations were still battling to prevent the fire from extending to other companies in the area.

Residents and youth in the area were not left out in efforts at putting out the fire.

Vin Val Industries has Dormat Trading Company and Portrico Oil Company, makers of New Star High Performance Engine Oil and New Star Gear Oil as some of its subsidiaries.

When Vanguard visited the company after a distress call from the Director, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, ONCCIMA, Dom Ajibo,there was outrage at the scene of the company by youths who were helping to put out the fire.

The fire service stations in Onitsha and its environs were said to have been contacted without response. Okpoko Fire Service Station was also contacted but was hampered by insufficient water.

Eventually, Nnewi Fire Service men arrived. Onitsha Main Market Fire Service Station, Nkpor Fire Service Station and Government House Awka Fire Service Station were allegedly contacted without response.

Asaba Fire Service station was also contacted, but the officials were quoted to have said that they could only come if the Delta State Governor directed them, because according to them, they had been attacked in Onitsha when they responded late to a similar incident sometime in the past.