FIRE DESTROYS 21 SHOPS AT ABUJA FURNITURE MARKET

A fire outbreak at the Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja has destroyed 21 shops and a vehicle, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

The incident occurred on Friday, with emergency responders receiving a distress call at about 11:15am.

NEMA said the Federal Fire Service and other emergency response agencies were mobilised to the market after the fire was reported.

No lives were lost in the incident, while emergency responders recovered some valuables from affected shops and worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.

NEMA responders also assisted with crowd control as firefighters battled the blaze.

The agency said the fire was successfully contained to prevent further outbreaks and the spread of the flames to other sections of the market.

Emergency operations at the scene ended at about 1:40pm.

NEMA said it would continue to support affected communities and coordinate emergency response efforts with relevant stakeholders.