A devastating fire engulfed Old Karu market in Abuja on Thursday evening, leaving traders reeling from significant financial losses. One female trader expressed her anguish to Channels Television on Friday, lamenting the destruction of her goods and the impact on her livelihood.
Surrounded by fellow women, the trader tearfully recounted her plight, stating, "Everything has burnt down. I could not recover anything. This is where we feed from. My children’s school fees are there. My money that has gone here is over N10 million." She pleaded for government assistance, feeling overwhelmed by the loss.
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FEMD Attributes Karu Market Fire Delay to Lack of Access
The combined efforts of the FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, and Julius Berger Fire Service eventually contained the blaze. However, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) highlighted challenges in accessing the market, which hindered firefighting efforts.
Acting Director-General of FEMD, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, explained that the illegal market behind the new construction site was affected. Despite having sufficient firetrucks and personnel, access issues delayed their response. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but goods worth millions were destroyed.
