A fire outbreak at the popular Kugbo Furniture Market along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway has destroyed several shops and goods reportedly worth millions of naira.
The fire, which broke out on Friday, reportedly started after an electrical spark and quickly spread through sections of the market, destroying furniture, equipment and other valuables.
An eyewitness, Mrs Mary Aniekan, said traders noticed the fire suddenly and immediately raised the alarm.
“I was in my shop when we saw the fire and people running to safety, while others were trying to put the fire out but they could not. The fire started when AEDC restored electricity,” she said.
Aniekan added that firefighters arrived at the scene but ran out of water while battling the blaze.
“Firefighters came but their water finished and up till now they have not been able to put the fire out,” she added.
The fire subsequently spread to several parts of the market, destroying shops and goods before emergency responders could contain the situation.
Several traders were seen attempting to retrieve whatever belongings they could from their shops, while others watched as their businesses and properties were consumed by the flames.
No loss of life was reported as of the time of the incident, although the fire caused extensive damage and left several traders counting their losses.
Firefighters were deployed to the market to battle the inferno and prevent it from spreading to adjoining shops and structures.
The exact value of the goods destroyed has not been officially established, while the cause of the fire has yet to be independently confirmed by relevant emergency authorities.
The eyewitness, however, linked the outbreak to an electrical spark that occurred after electricity was restored by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The incident triggered panic among traders and residents around the market, with affected business owners calling for urgent assistance to assess the damage and support those who lost their livelihoods
