A devastating fire at the EFAB Metropolis Estate in the Karasana area of Abuja claimed the life of a five-year-old girl early Thursday morning. The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. at No. 16 Ottawa Street, has left the estate community mourning.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire was sparked by an electrical issue in one of the children’s room sockets. A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the harrowing scene: “The fire broke out while we were asleep. The family was downstairs at the time, and tragically, the five-year-old girl, who was upstairs in her room, lost her life.”
Residents criticized the lack of firefighting infrastructure in the estate. One resident noted, “As large as this estate is, there is no fire station. The developer built over 1,000 houses here but didn’t include such a critical facility.”
Although fire service personnel arrived promptly, they faced delays navigating through Kubwa to reach the estate. Residents expressed that a local fire station could have mitigated the damage: “Originally, locations were designated for a hospital, recreation center, and fire station, but these were sold off. A fire station is urgently needed to prevent future tragedies.”
Afeez Olopade, Chairman of the House Owners’ Association, expressed his sorrow over the incident and pledged support for the bereaved family. He acknowledged the estate’s need for firefighting equipment and infrastructure, stating that discussions with the developer, Dr. Fabian Nwaorah, would continue.
“This terrifying incident is something we wish we could undo. We will work closely with the affected family to provide support,” Olopade said. “Our estate spans over 200 hectares, making such facilities indispensable. We will engage with the developer and relevant agencies to ensure these facilities are established promptly.”
Aminola Adebayo, acting director of the FCT Fire Service, confirmed the cause of the fire as an electrical spark in the children’s room. He reported that the blaze consumed furniture, kitchen equipment, and other belongings, leading to the tragic loss of the young girl.
The community’s grief is palpable, and residents are calling for immediate action to enhance fire safety measures within the estate.
