NAN – An overnight fire on Monday destroyed a two-storey building housing a branch of the United Bank for Africa and some shops alon Douglas Road, Owerri, Imo State.

The fire also caused much damage to the nearby Nwaorie Lane Industrial Market.

The fire did not, however, affect a nearby filling station.

Witnesses said it began at 10p.m on Monday night from the back of the plaza and spread to other buildings, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Efforts by firemen from Owerri, Orlu and Umuahia as well as traders to put out the blaze failed.

It was the second blaze at the place in two years and consumed equipment and files in the bank.