Tragedy struck at Number 9, Dr Fabian Nwaora Street, Efab Estate in Abuja as a six-bedroom duplex was engulfed in flames, claiming the lives of three individuals. The fire outbreak was reportedly triggered by an explosion originating from a drum of diesel in the backyard.
Eyewitnesses, including occupants of the building, passersby, and personnel from the Federal Fire Service (FFS), united their efforts to combat the inferno. Despite their endeavors, the fire persisted, resulting in fatalities.
A safety official confirmed the evacuation of the deceased to the morgue, highlighting the severity of the incident.
In a separate unfortunate occurrence, Grace International School, located at Awolowo Street adjacent to the Kobiowu Mosque in Tanke, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, fell victim to a devastating fire outbreak just four days prior. The blaze, which erupted after 6:00 pm on Sunday, razed nine classrooms within the 14-room building.
According to reports from the Kwara State Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters swiftly responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene to find a block of classrooms already consumed by the flames. Adekunle attributed the origin of the fire to “a fire in the undergrowth that was intentionally ignited by an unknown person,” which swiftly spread to the school building, resulting in extensive damage.
The incidents serve as sobering reminders of the importance of fire safety measures and vigilance in preventing such tragedies.