·       FCTA declares it an emergency

·       Markets identified as major culprits

The cases of fire incidents across the Federal Capital Territory has risen astronomically in the last one year with over 266 cases of fire outbreaks recorded in the first half of 2024.

The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service said the figure was way beyond what was recorded in the whole of 2023.

Director of the FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adebayo Zacchaeus, told a press conference in Abuja, that between January and June alone, the service recorded a minimum of 266 fire incidents with four lives saved from the various incidences.

Though the director did not give the figures for the previous year, findings by The Abuja Inquirer show that the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, reported five major fire outbreaks in 2023, with two lives lost and 247 lives saved from 5 calls made through the 112 toll-free number.

The trend was similar in 2022, when the department revealed that it intervened in post-fire disasters in the FCT as well as responded to 10 fire incidents, including 3 filling station fires, where 16 lives were saved.

Engr. Zacchaeus told the media on Friday that the service was particularly concerned about the rising cases of market fires where the haphazard arrangement of makeshift shops usually block access roads, thereby inhibiting the intervention by emergency responders.

He noted that the FCT, as the capital city, ought to be a model to other cities, unfortunately fire outbreaks are becoming regular factor in the territory.

“In recent times, we have witnessed devastating market fires that have wreaked havoc on businesses and livelihoods. The recent one is Karu Market. These incidents not only cause financial losses but also endanger lives.

“A significant factor exacerbating these fires is the blockage of access roads. Emergency responders are often hindered by obstructed routes, delaying crucial time of interventions and exacerbating the damage.”

The fireman noted that the inadequate number of firefighting tools in the markets, like fire hydrants, alarms as well as issues of wrong electrical installations, were frequent culprits in-market fires.

The director, who frowned at situations where some traders live within the markets where they cook, iron and engage in other dangerous activities, announced that the FCTA has placed a ban on sleeping in the market after each day’s business.

In his words, “Another alarming practice is sleeping in markets by traders. This not only violates regulations but poses significant risks to personal safety and property. In addition, the building of shanties within market areas has become a rampant issue. These makeshift structures not only contribute to disorder but also serve as fuel for fires, increasing the risk of combustion and uncontrollable blazes.”

To combat these issues, the FCT Fire Service, warned that it will henceforth be enforcing the no-sleeping regulations within markets. It called on market managers to provide alternative accommodations for traders where necessary.

On how to enhance fire safety measures, the director advised market managers to install additional fire hydrants at strategic locations and ensuring their regular maintenance. He also directed them to enforce regulations to keep access roads clear and creating designated emergency lanes for quick response.

The director announced that the FCT Administration will henceforth mandate strict compliance with electrical safety standards by ensuring that only professionals are allowed to carry out wiring and maintenance of such in the markets.

Recall that a kerosene explosion had rocked the Kubwa village market in 2022, when a woman was selling kerosene and another woman was frying bean cakes close by and there was an explosion.

In 2022, the administration battled with a trend of incessant filling stations fire outbreaks, making the FCTA restricting the discharging of petroleum products to evenings alone.

At least, three were stations were gutted by fire in the space of two weeks in December 2022, but the FCTA blamed this on non-adherence to the regulations on content discharge, noting that flouting the rules could endanger the lives and properties of the residents of the FCT.

The filling stations affected were AA RANO by Mpape Junction along Kubwa expressway on 1st December, 2022, Danmarna Filling Station at FHA Lugbe on 7th December 2022, and Conoil Filling Station at Area 10, Garki on 10th December 2022.