Explosion causes deadly fire that rages through crowded market

A deadly fire raged through the Onitsha market in Nigeria as helpless onlookers tried in vain to fight the flames, while others fled for their lives. Flames engulfed buildings and merchandise stands and quickly grew out of control. The fire claimed the life of a mother and her baby, as well as two young salesgirls and and a young man employed in the market. Hundreds of shop owners, vendors and neighboring residents lost all of their belongings in the blaze. The fire started when a delivery truck that was bringing fuel to the market lost control. It struck several buildings tipped over, spilling the contents. Sparks from the collision ignited the tanker and the fuel. The tanker exploded and flames quickly spread throughout the area, igniting shops and buildings. The mother and her child were trying to escape the explosion and rapidly spreading flames. They fell into the gutter and perished.