Fire razes shops in Abuja market

Fire has razed no fewer than 10 shops in Wuse Market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Confirming the incident, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Nkechi Isa, said no life was lost in the fire outbreak which occurred on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Isa added that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

She, however, said the fire was brought under control by a combined team of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, and Julius Berger Fire Department.

The FEMA spokesperson said the agency received a distress call on the 112 emergency toll-free number at 4:05 p.m. about the fire incident at the market in Abuja.

She added that the agency, being the lead coordinating body for all emergencies in Abuja, thereafter, activated its stakeholders to ensure maximum response.

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Isa identified the stakeholders as the FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Police Command, and Julius Berger Fire Service.

She further quoted the acting Director General of FEMA, Mohammed Sabo, as urging the FCT residents to equip their homes and business places with basic firefighting equipment like extinguishers and fire blankets.

Sabo noted that the 10 shops affected by the fire incident did not have a fire extinguisher.

He stated that access to the place was unhampered allowing the fire trucks to effectively put out the fire.

The FEMA boss advised market management to put a fire tinder in place to prevent loss of properties during fire outbreaks.

Sabo also urged FCT residents to avoid storing petroleum products and other combustible items in their homes.

He called on the residents to always use the 112-emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.

The Star