The residents of Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, have been thrown into a state of anxiety following a devastating fire outbreak that occurred in the estate’s bustling market. The incident, which has caused panic within the community, reportedly began in the early hours of the morning.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire started around 3:30am shortly after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) restored power to the area. Within moments, the flames engulfed several sections of the market, creating a chaotic scene as residents scrambled to assess the extent of the damage.
An eyewitness, identified simply as Joe, who resides in the estate, described the unfolding events with a sense of urgency and despair. “I was alerted around 4:00am, and by the time I reached the market, the fire had already spread significantly. We couldn’t immediately determine the cause, but we strongly suspect it was triggered by an electrical fault,” he recounted.
Joe further disclosed that emergency response efforts were delayed, with the fire service unit attached to “Dunamis Church” being the first to arrive at the scene at approximately 5:00am. Shortly thereafter, additional firefighting teams from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Sauka Station joined the rescue efforts. Despite the delay, their coordinated actions were instrumental in containing the fire.
“It took about two hours after the fire began for responders to fully bring the flames under control. Their prompt action at that stage prevented the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas, which could have made the situation even worse,” Joe added.
As of now, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Residents are calling for a thorough investigation to determine the root cause and to implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
This tragic event has left the community shaken, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures and quicker response times to emergencies in the area.
