Five-year-old girl killed, properties destroyed in Abuja estate fire

A fire in a single-storey building in Abuja on Wednesday night claimed the life of a five-year-old girl and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

The building is located in 16 Ottawa StreetEfab Metropolis Estate, Karsana, near Gwarinpa in the federal capital.

The fire, which destroyed several rooms on the first floor of the building, reportedly started around 10:30 pm.

afriLatest Headline noticed charred remains of household items piled up outside during a visit to the complex on Thursday.

Despite the devastation, the family continues to reside in the building.

Residents of the property and family friends were seen storming the complex to show solidarity with them.

However, this reporter was unable to speak to the victim's father because he received visitors.

A security guard who did not want his name used, however, told this newspaper that he witnessed the incident.

He said that the fire started when the family's generator was working and provided electricity to the house, although he could not identify the exact cause.

“The girl had just finished her homework and went to bed while her parents were downstairs when the incident happened.

“I'm not sure if it was caused by a faulty outlet or an extension cord. I watched as her family ran out, but she was still inside, sleeping. When they returned to rescue her, the fire had already burned her badly,” he said.

The child, whose name has not yet been confirmed, was buried on Thursday morning.

Real estate association speaks

Olopade Adekunle, president of the housing association, described the incident as tragic and that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

“The terrible incident happened yesterday and sadly a life was lost. As neighbors, we stick close to the family to see how much support we can offer. It’s a situation we would like to see eliminated,” he said.

Adekunle also said there is an urgent need to improve the firefighting infrastructure at the estate, which spans over 200 hectares and is managed by Blue Fountain Properties Limited (BFPL).

“Regarding firefighting equipment and infrastructure, we received several recommendations from residents regarding the immediate need to establish a functional fire station in the neighborhood.

“We will continue to engage BFPL, government agencies and all relevant stakeholders as quickly as possible to ensure immediate implementation of these needs. There are also other environmental safety procedures that we will encourage all residents to adopt,” he said.

Tragedy pattern

This fire marks yet another tragedy on the property.

In March 2024, a diesel explosion at the residence of Abubakar Musa, a judge of the Federal Supreme Court, killed three people, including a welder and his two apprentices.

The explosion occurred while they were working on a leaking diesel container. All three victims died instantly and their remains were evacuated to a nearby morgue by officers from the Galadima Police Station.

The repeated incidents have demonstrated growing concerns about safety standards and emergency response systems in the city's residential areas.

afriLatest Headline reported a fire that destroyed the top floor of a popular hotel, Focus Holiday Inn, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The fire started at 3am due to an electrical fault.