Fire has gutted Karmo market in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, destroying over 300 makeshift shops.
The early morning fire, which destroyed property worth millions of Naira, was said to have started around 12.20am on Thursday.
The leader of the Market’s traders, Murtala Ibrahim, said about 300 makeshift shops were destroyed by the fire before it was brought under control around 2am by combined efforts of the fire fighters from the government’s agencies.
He said the fire started from a shop where drinks were sold and extended to various sections of the market.
“Many traders who rushed to the scene on getting the information were restricted by the police and members of vigilante groups from jumping into the burning shops in an attempt to salvage some items,” Ibrahim said.
The affected areas include provisions, building materials, electronics, stationery, cosmetics shops, among others.
The cause of the inferno is still unknown.
This is the second fire incident in the Karmo market within a year. In July last year, the market went up in flames, razing over 200 stalls.
