Tragic Fire Claims Life of 5-Year-Old Girl in Abuja Estate

Tragic Fire Claims Life of 5-Year-Old Girl in Abuja Estate-OXYGIST

A devastating fire in the EFAB Metropolis Estate, Karasana area of the Federal Capital Territory, claimed the life of a five-year-old girl and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.


The fire broke out in a one-storey building located at No. 16 Ottawa Street around 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025.


Residents reported that the fire was triggered by an electrical spark in a socket located in one of the children’s bedrooms. According to a neighbor, the family members were downstairs when the blaze started in the upstairs room where the child was sleeping.


“The fire broke out while everyone was asleep. Tragically, the five-year-old girl, who was upstairs in her room, could not escape. The rest of the family was downstairs at the time,” the neighbor recounted.


The absence of a fire station in the large estate exacerbated the situation. One resident criticized the developer, noting, “This estate has over 1,000 houses, but there is no fire station. Although firefighters responded quickly, they had to navigate through Kubwa before reaching the estate. If we had firefighting facilities on-site, this tragedy could have been avoided. The developer initially allocated land for a hospital, recreation center, and fire station, but these were sold off.”


The Chairman of the House Owners’ Association, Afeez Olopade, expressed profound grief over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.


“This heartbreaking tragedy is one we deeply regret. We are fully committed to supporting the affected family during this difficult time,” Olopade said.


He acknowledged the pressing need for firefighting infrastructure within the estate, stating, “Our estate spans over 200 hectares, making it essential to have facilities like a fire station. We will continue to engage the developer, Dr. Fabian Nwaorah of Blue Fountain Properties Limited, to prioritize the provision of such critical infrastructure. Residents have consistently raised concerns, and this incident highlights the urgency of addressing them.”


The acting director of the FCT Fire Service, Aminola Adebayo, confirmed that the fire was caused by an electrical spark in the children’s room.


“The building was a one-storey terrace house, and the fire destroyed furniture, kitchen appliances, mattresses, and other valuables. Tragically, a young girl lost her life in the incident,” he stated.


Adebayo added that the combined efforts of the FCT Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service were instrumental in bringing the fire under control, but the loss of life underscores the need for better fire safety measures in residential estates. 

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