A fire outbreak at the popular Kugbo Furniture Market along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway has destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira.
The fire reportedly broke out on Friday and quickly spread through sections of the market, consuming furniture, equipment and other valuable items belonging to traders.
An eyewitness, Mrs Mary Aniekan, said the fire started suddenly after an electrical spark was noticed in the affected area.
According to her, traders and other people around the market raised the alarm and made frantic efforts to put out the fire while attempting to salvage their belongings.
“I was in my shop when we saw the fire and people running to safety, while others were trying to put the fire out but they could not. The fire started when AEDC restored electricity,” she said.
Aniekan added that firefighters arrived at the scene but were unable to immediately contain the blaze.
“Firefighters came but their water finished and up till now they have not been able to put the fire out,” she said.
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The fire subsequently spread to other sections of the market, destroying several shops and goods before emergency responders could bring the situation under control.
Several traders were seen attempting to retrieve whatever they could from their shops, while others watched as their businesses and properties were consumed by the inferno.
No death has been reported in connection with the incident, although the fire caused extensive damage to property and left several traders counting their losses.
Firefighters were deployed to the market to battle the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining shops and structures.
The exact value of the goods destroyed has not been officially established, while the cause of the fire is yet to be independently confirmed by the relevant emergency authorities.
However, the eyewitness linked the outbreak to an electrical spark reportedly noticed after electricity was restored.
The incident triggered panic among traders and residents in the area, with affected business owners calling for urgent assistance to assess the extent of the damage and support their recovery from the losses.