Abuja Fire Devastates Eda Plaza Building Materials Market, No Casualties

A major fire tore through Eda Plaza, a prominent building materials market in Jabi, Abuja, early Sunday morning, destroying shops and goods reportedly worth millions of naira. The blaze broke out around 3 am, prompting frantic efforts by shop owners to salvage their merchandise as flames spread rapidly through the two-storey complex opposite the Chida Hotel in the capital’s Jabi district.

No casualties were reported in the incident, according to an eyewitness who spoke to the Nigerian Television Authority. The witness, whose brother-in-law owns two shops and a storage facility in the plaza, said they rushed to the scene upon receiving a distress call at dawn. By the time they arrived, the fire had already caused extensive damage, leaving only one of the two shops intact. The affected businesses had recently restocked roofing materials, with losses estimated at over N20 million.

“Because the other shop, we had roofs that were just restocked last night,” the eyewitness told NTA. “And then the packing store also, we had roofs that were just restocked last night.” Despite the heavy financial loss, the family expressed relief that no lives were lost.

The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, a Julius Berger firefighter who led his team’s response said they were alerted just before 4 am and deployed two fire engines, two water tankers, and eight personnel. Working alongside the Federal Fire Department, they brought the fire under control after approximately four hours.

The firefighter urged the public to prioritize safety during emergencies, stressing the importance of evacuating buildings and allowing firefighters to operate without interference. “In case of fire, evacuate the building and don’t disturb the firefighters doing their job,” he said. “Everybody is inside there. I understand they try to save their possessions, but this is life. Life matters, and safety first.”

Eda Plaza, located in the commercial heart of Jabi, is a key hub for building materials suppliers in Abuja. The market’s destruction highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in densely packed commercial districts across the Federal Capital Territory.

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