A devastating fire outbreak has struck the Karu Market in the Federal Capital Territory, leaving a trail of destruction and loss.
As of the time of filing this report, goods and properties worth millions of naira have been reduced to ashes, leaving traders and shoppers in a state of despair.
The FCT Fire Service with a station in Karu Market responded to the incident, however, faced challenges in accessing the scene due to the large crowd of people flocking to the area.
A trader looking dejected after losing goods in the fire. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV
Traders, who have lost their wares in the inferno, could be seen wailing uncontrollably over their losses.
“Everything has burnt down. I could not recover anything. This is where we feed from o. Ah, my children’s school fees are there,” one of the traders cried.
“I cannot hold myself, I am in pain – I don’t know if government can help us. My money that has gone here is over ₦10 million. I am tired and I don’t know where to start,” she cried out.
Despite the challenges, soldiers were on ground to maintain order and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical surge, which quickly spread and engulfed parts of the market.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, however, it is clear that the fire has left a significant impact on the community.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and officials are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
The fire service battling to quench the inferno. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV
FEMD Sues For Access Road Into Markets
The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has again underscored the importance of access in firefighting operations.
The Acting Director General of FEMD, Florence Wenegieme, issued the advice in the wake of the fire at the old Karu Market, which was engulfed by fire Thursday evening.
According to a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, a combined team of the FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service and Julius Berger Fire Service, were on ground and contained the fire outbreak at the market.
Wenegieme, who was at the incident scene, noted that the fire started at about 6.30 pm.
She informed that the firemen who were activated to the scene on time were however unable to gain access to the market, which is located behind the new market under construction.
“It was the illegal market/ settlement behind the new market under construction that was engulfed by fire. We had enough firetrucks and firemen, but we could not gain access to the market, so we had to break walls to have access to the fire fighting hose, that was what caused the delay in putting out the fire”. She said.
She further stated that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, adding that investigations were however ongoing.
“No Life was lost to the fire incident, and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed,” she added.
The Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army and the Civil Defense Corps were also on ground to ensure crowd control.
CHANNELSTV.COM
