PHOTOS: Massive Fire Ravages Karu Market in Abuja, Causing Millions in Damages

By Gbenga Adeniyi

Millions of naira worth of products were destroyed on Thursday night as a destructive fire spread over Abuja’s Karu Market. The fire, which apparently began in the late evening, soon spread throughout the market, destroying countless stalls and items.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started from a yet-to-be-determined source and rapidly intensified due to the highly combustible materials present in the market. Efforts by local residents and firefighters to contain the inferno were hindered by the market’s dense layout and limited access points.

“The fire spread so fast, it was like everything was burning at once. People were trying to salvage whatever they could, but it was chaotic,” said one eyewitness who narrowly escaped the flames.

Firefighters from multiple stations were deployed to the scene and battled the blaze for several hours before gaining control. However, by the time the fire was extinguished, extensive damage had already been done to a significant portion of the market.

Officials are now assessing the full extent of the losses incurred by the traders and vendors affected by the fire. Local authorities have also begun investigating the cause of the fire to determine whether it was accidental or caused by other factors.

The incident has left the traders and residents of Karu Market devastated, as many relied on their businesses within the market for their livelihoods.