27th December, 2021
Firefighters are still struggling to completely put out the fire that engulfed Next Cash and Carry Supermarket in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Punch reported that the fire was still raging and smoke have pervaded the area.
However, the FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, the fire units of the Nigerian Navy and Guards Brigade, and fire trucks from Julius Berger Plc are still on the ground to completely extinguish the fire.
The fire started around 8 am on Sunday.
Some workers at the supermarket said the inferno was caused by an electrical surge which started from the administrative section of the supermarket.
The employees, however, accused personnel of the fire service of getting to the scene late.
However, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has expressed sympathy over the fire incident.
The minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Nneka Anibeze on Monday in Abuja quoted Farouq as decrying the rising incidents of fire disasters in the country and calling for caution to avoid repeats.
The minister said: “This is a sad occurrence happening on a day of celebration. It is most unfortunate for those who lost their goods and livelihood at this critical time.
“This is the harmattan season and prone to a lot of sparks and fire disasters.
“We urge shop owners, traders and market dwellers to be more vigilant and to endeavour to switch off all appliances before leaving their shops and markets.
“The fire at Next Cash and Carry is very unfortunate and we pray that this does not happen again.’’