{
  "id": 4785684,
  "title": "FCT dept urges markets to priortise fire prevention measures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/fct-dept-urges-markets-to-priortise-fire-prevention-measures",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-01T04:13:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/fct-dept-urges-markets-to-priortise-fire-prevention-measures/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has implored proprietors and administrators of markets, shopping malls, and other commercial establishments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prioritize fire prevention by ensuring the availability and proper maintenance of fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment. This recommendation came in the wake of a fire that broke out early Sunday morning at the Eda Plaza building materials market in Jabi, Abuja. The inferno, which began around 3:00 a.m., damaged several shops and stores, resulting in the loss of goods estimated to be worth millions of naira. Emergency response teams from the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, and Julius Berger Fire Service swiftly arrived and managed to extinguish the blaze by 10:14 a.m. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident; however, the origin of the fire remains under investigation.\n\nIn response to the unfortunate event, the FEMD issued a statement through its spokesperson, Nkechi Isah, emphasizing that prevention is paramount in curbing the occurrence and impact of market fires in the FCT. The department called upon traders, market associations, and facility managers to guarantee that fire extinguishers and other firefighting apparatus are always on hand, correctly maintained, and easily reachable at all times. Furthermore, FEMD urged market operators to ensure that all electrical installations are performed by certified professionals and regularly inspected to detect and rectify any issues before they culminate in fires. The department also highlighted the importance of routine safety inspections, proper storage of flammable substances, and strict compliance with fire safety protocols as crucial steps in averting preventable calamities in markets and commercial centers.\n\nIn addition, FEMD advised residents and traders to evacuate buildings immediately upon detecting a fire and to avoid actions that could impede or hinder firefighters' efforts in responding to emergencies. The department reminded the public that the 112 emergency toll-free number is accessible for reporting emergencies and urged members of the public to promptly dial this number whenever they observe a fire or any other emergency. The FEMD stressed that collective awareness, proper safety gear, and regular facility inspections are vital in preventing fire outbreaks and safeguarding lives and property across the FCT.",
  "summary": "The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has urged owners and managers of markets, malls and other commercial facilities in the territory to prioritise fire prevention by providing adequate fire extinguishers and functional firefighting equipment. The call followed an early-morning fire that destroyed several shops and stores at the building materials market located at Eda Plaza, […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}