A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, destroying the only market in Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, and leaving residents in shock and confusion.
The blaze, which reportedly began around 3:30 am shortly after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company restored power, consumed the market before emergency responders could arrive, according to Channels TV.
Although the exact cause of the fire remains uncertain, eyewitnesses suspect electrical issues.
Joe, a resident who was among the first to notice the fire, described the chaotic scene: “I was alerted around 4 am, and by then, the fire had already spread. We couldn’t immediately determine the cause, but we suspect it might be an electrical fault.”
Residents made efforts to contact the Federal Fire Service and the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service but received no immediate response. Joe noted that a fire service team from “Dunamis Church arrived first at 5 am, followed by firefighters from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Sauka Station.”
After two hours, emergency responders managed to contain the fire, extinguishing the flames and preventing further destruction.
As of this report, the extent of the damage and the value of goods lost remain unclear. Traders and residents are now left with the challenging task of rebuilding their lives.
This is not the first time Trademore Estate has faced disaster. In June, severe flooding submerged the estate, with reports of significant property damage and lives lost. Social media videos from that incident showed the devastation, highlighting the estate’s vulnerability to recurring crises.
