A devastating fire broke out at the Kaura  Market in Abuja late Friday night, destroying 39 open shops.

The blaze, reportedly sparked by an electrical fault, raged from approximately 11 p.m. until it was finally extinguished around 2 a.m. on Saturday by a joint effort from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

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Sources revealed that the fire began due to an electrical spark from a power changeover unit installed in one of the shops. The presence of a generator containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) within the affected shop intensified the fire, leading to widespread damage.

Confirming the incident, MT Ibrahim, the spokesman for the FCT Fire Service, outlined the extent of the destruction. Items lost to the fire included foodstuffs, generators, refrigerators, fruits, umbrellas, electrical appliances, household items, and parts of the shop’s roof.

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The Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adebayo Zacchaeus, praised the firefighters for their swift response and effective coordination in containing the fire, thereby preventing further damage.