An early morning inferno today razed the building materials market at Eda Plaza, opposite Chida Hotel, Jabi, Abuja.
Goods worth a fortune are said to have been destroyed in the blaze, leaving the traders heart-broken and needing to pick up the pieces of their lives afresh.
Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), which confirmed the fire in a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, a copy of which was made available to People&Politics in Abuja, emphasized the need for adequate fire extinguishers and fire fighting equipment in malls and markets in the FCT to curtail fire outbreaks.
The department stated that the fire, which started at 3:00am, affected several shops and stores containing building materials, destroying goods reportedly worth millions of Naira.
It added that the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and construction giant Julius Berger fire service, later managed to contain the fire about 10:14am.
No life was lost to the incident, FEMD stated, adding that the cause of the inferno had not yet been officially established.
It appealed to residents to evacuate a building in the event of fire and avoid interfering with the activities of firefighters.
FEMD also called for proper electrical installations and regular inspection in markets to forestall fire outbreaks from electrical faults.
The department urged residents to use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.
*PHOTO CAPTION: A section of the market burning… today.
