Residents of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State were thrown into panic on Wednesday after a truck crashed into a church building and went up in flames.
The incident occurred at St. Matthias Catholic Church situated along Agulu Lake–Golden Tulip Hotel Road, disrupting movement in the area as emergency responders worked to contain the fire.
Eyewitnesses said the fully loaded truck was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, veered off the roadway and ploughed into the church premises, sparking a fire outbreak.
A witness, who gave his name as Uzor, said the driver fled immediately after the crash.
“The vehicle was moving fast before it suddenly lost control on the slope and crashed into the church. It caught fire instantly. Luckily, there were no casualties because people nearby had left moments before it happened,” he said.
Although no lives were lost, the incident caused anxiety among residents and led to traffic congestion as motorists slowed down while firefighters battled the blaze.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the Anambra State Fire Service blamed the crash on speeding and loss of control.
The agency’s Media and Publicity Unit, headed by Chukwudi Chiketa, said its personnel responded swiftly to a distress call and were able to bring the situation under control.
He noted that the firefighters successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading further, adding that operations at the scene had been concluded.
Chiketa further revealed that another fire incident occurred the same day at Climax Industry Limited on Nnanka Street in Oduma Layout, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area.
He explained that the early morning fire affected both industrial and residential structures, prompting a rapid response from firefighters deployed from Ogidi and Okpoko stations.
According to him, the blaze was eventually extinguished through coordinated efforts, with personnel remaining at the location for hours to ensure there was no reignition.
He added that the cause of the industrial fire had yet to be determined, as investigations were ongoing.
The fire service urged residents and business operators to stay alert and report any fire outbreaks promptly, stressing that early intervention remains key to minimising damage.
The agency also recalled a recent accident in Lagos on March 9, which claimed the life of a female passenger and left six others seriously injured along the Oworonsoki-Apapa Expressway.