A fire outbreak on Monday morning gutted a section of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation at the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja.
The incident triggered panic among workers and visitors at the government complex as thick smoke was seen rising from the affected part of the building.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was first noticed at about 8:20 a.m., prompting an immediate alert to emergency responders.
Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of black smoke billowing from Section C of the building, where the incident reportedly occurred.
Emergency response underway
Firefighters were quickly deployed to the scene and are currently battling to bring the blaze under control.
Officials at the scene said efforts were focused on preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the building within the Federal Secretariat complex.
Although the exact cause of the fire had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, early indications suggest it may have been triggered by a power surge.
Authorities have yet to release a full assessment of the damage caused by the incident.
Panic among workers
Workers within the complex were seen evacuating affected sections of the building shortly after the fire started.
Some staff members gathered outside the premises while emergency personnel coordinated response efforts.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is a key administrative arm of the federal government responsible for managing the country’s civil service workforce.
More details about the cause of the fire and the extent of damage are expected to emerge as investigations continue.
