A block of 39 open shops at the Kaura Modern Market in Abuja was completely destroyed by fire late Friday night, following an electrical spark that ignited a devastating blaze.
The fire, which began around 11 pm, raged for several hours before it was brought under control at approximately 2am on Saturday by a combined team of firefighters from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).
According to MT Ibrahim, the spokesman for the FCT Fire Service, the fire was triggered by an electrical spark on a power changeover device installed in one of the shops.
The presence of a generator filled with petrol inside the shop where the fire originated exacerbated the situation, leading to a rapid spread of the flames.
Items lost in the fire included foodstuffs, generators, refrigerators, fruits, umbrellas, electrical appliances, household items, and parts of the market’s roof.
Engr. Adebayo Zacchaeus, the Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, commended the firefighters for their swift and coordinated efforts in extinguishing the blaze.
The incident added to the growing concern over fire safety in markets across the country, particularly those with inadequate electrical installations and the improper storage of flammable materials.
