By Nkechi Eze
A fire outbreak has razed four out of five blocks of three-bedroom flats at Number 13, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, Abuja, destroying property worth millions of naira but recording no loss of life.
Residents of the building reportedly noticed flames emanating from solar panels mounted on the roof of the structure before the fire rapidly escalated into an inferno, engulfing most parts of the residential complex.
The incident was confirmed in an official statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa. According to the statement, the Head of FEMD’s Search and Rescue Team, Mr. Monday Addie, disclosed that the distress call was received at about 1:00 pm, prompting the immediate deployment of emergency responders to the scene.
Although no casualties were recorded, four of the affected flats were completely burnt by the fire. Household items including furniture, clothing, food supplies and other personal effects were destroyed in the blaze.
The building is said to be owned by a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Yerima.
Emergency response to the incident was jointly handled by personnel of FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the FCT Police Command, who worked together to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
Authorities have since brought the situation under control, while investigations are expected to determine the exact cause of the fire, which is suspected to have originated from the solar power installation on the rooftop.
