A destructive fire broke out early on Monday morning, destroying the sole market in Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, leaving residents in shock and disbelief.
The fire, which reportedly began around 3:30 AM, shortly after power was restored by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, quickly consumed the market before emergency services could intervene, according to reports.

While the exact cause of the blaze remains uncertain, eyewitnesses suspect it may have been caused by electrical issues.
Joe, a resident of the estate who was among the first to notice the fire, described the scene as tense and chaotic. He stated, “I was alerted around 4 AM, and by that time, the fire had already spread. We couldn’t immediately determine the cause, but we suspect it might be an electrical fault.”
Efforts to reach the Federal Fire Service and the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service were unsuccessful at first. However, the fire service team from Dunamis Church was the first to arrive around 5 AM, followed by responders from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Sauka Station.
Emergency responders took about two hours to control the fire, preventing further damage.
As of the time of reporting, the full extent of the damage and the value of goods lost are still unknown. Traders and residents are now left with the difficult task of assessing the damage and rebuilding their lives.
Reports indicate that authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
In June, the estate, located along the Lugbe-Airport Expressway, was hit by severe flooding. Videos circulating on social media on Monday also suggested that two individuals may have been swept away by the flood. This marks the second time Trademore Estate has experienced significant flooding.