Fire Devastates Trademore Estate Market in Abuja, Cause Still Under Investigation
A devastating fire broke out early Monday morning, causing extensive damage to the market located within Trademore Estate, a bustling neighborhood situated off the Umar Musa Yar’Adua/Airport Road in Abuja. The fire, which quickly spread across the market area, destroyed a significant number of shops and goods, leaving residents and traders in shock. Although the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, investigations are underway to determine its origin.
Joe, a local resident who witnessed the early stages of the fire, recalled how he was alerted to the incident around 4 a.m. “I was woken up by the smell of smoke, and when I looked outside, I saw flames already rising from the market,” he said. He mentioned that although the cause of the fire had yet to be identified, an electrical fault could be a possible factor, given the market’s reliance on electrical infrastructure for lighting and other operations. “We are not certain about the cause, but an electrical fault cannot be ruled out,” Joe remarked.
As the fire raged on, residents of the estate immediately sought assistance from the emergency services. However, efforts to reach the Federal Fire Service and the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service proved difficult due to the intensity of the blaze and the early hour of the morning. “We tried reaching out to the fire services, but the situation was overwhelming, and we couldn’t get through immediately,” Joe said. Despite the challenges, the residents did not give up and eventually managed to contact a fire service team stationed at Dunamis Church, a nearby religious institution.
The fire service team from Dunamis Church responded promptly, arriving at the scene around 5 a.m. and beginning their efforts to control the fire. Their arrival marked a critical point in the battle against the flames, but the fire was still raging uncontrollably. After two hours of intense firefighting, personnel from the Federal Fire Service stations at EFCC and Sauka were able to reach the scene. Together, they worked tirelessly to subdue the flames, ultimately bringing the fire under control and preventing further destruction. By around 7 a.m., the fire was fully extinguished, though the damage to the market had already been significant.
While the exact amount of damage is still being assessed, early reports suggest that several shops, along with their contents, were completely destroyed. Traders in the market, many of whom rely on their businesses for their livelihoods, are facing substantial losses. The authorities have promised to conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to provide support for those affected.
As the investigation continues, officials have cautioned the public about the importance of fire safety measures, particularly in commercial areas like the market. In the coming days, local authorities and emergency services are expected to collaborate more closely to ensure that safety protocols are reviewed and reinforced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Residents of Trademore Estate, while grateful for the prompt response of the fire services, expressed concern over the lack of preparedness and early response from other agencies. Despite the challenges, the coordinated efforts of the local fire service teams helped minimize the overall impact of the fire, though the emotional and financial toll on the affected traders will likely be felt for some time.
Local authorities have pledged to offer assistance to the victims of the fire, and there is an ongoing discussion about improving fire prevention and emergency response systems in the area to prevent such disasters in the future.
