Fire outbreak razed parts of the Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja, causing significant losses before firefighters from the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and other emergency responders brought the inferno under control after several hours of intense firefighting.
The Federal Fire Service, in a statement signed by Paul Abraham, its National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services on Monday, said the fire broke out in the early hours of the day and was suspected to have been triggered by an electrical surge.
Kugbo Furniture Market is one of the largest furniture hubs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with large quantities of highly combustible materials stored within the premises.
According to the Service, a distress call was received at its control room at about 8:37 a.m. on Sunday, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters from the Special Unit at the National Headquarters.
“Two high-capacity ground monitor firefighting appliances were mobilised from the headquarters, while an additional fire truck was dispatched from the Nyanya Fire Station”, the statement said.
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The FCT Fire Service also joined the operation to support the responses as they battled the blaze for more than three hours before successfully containing it and preventing it from spreading to other sections of the market and adjoining properties.
The coordinated response, the statement said, helped save properties estimated at about ₦1.8 billion, although the total value of goods and structures within the market was put at over ₦2 billion.
Commending the responders, Olumode Adeyemi, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, praised the gallantry, dedication and professionalism displayed by the firefighters during the operation.
He emphasised that early reporting of emergencies plays a crucial role in minimising losses and ensuring effective intervention.
Adeyemi urged members of the public to promptly alert the Fire Service whenever incidents occur, noting that timely distress calls enable swift deployment of personnel and equipment.
He also expressed appreciation to the FCT Fire Service for its continued collaboration with the Federal Fire Service in joint emergency response efforts, describing such partnerships as vital to protecting lives and property in the nation’s capital.
