How Electric Spark Triggered Fire At Ogbe Market, Burnt 21 Shops

An electric spark reportedly triggered a fire at the popular Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja on Friday, affecting 21 shops and a vehicle.

A trader, Joseph, said the fire occurred after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) restored electricity to the market.

According to Joseph the affected shops sold materials including “foam for chairs and furniture gum, while part of the market’s timber shade was also affected by the fire”.

He explained that the presence of furniture materials and timber contributed to the spread of the fire.

Ascertaining the extent of the damage, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said in a statement that its Abuja Operations Office (AOO) Emergency Response and Ambulance Bay (ERAB) received a distress call about the fire at about 11:15am on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The statement read, “At about 11:15 hours on Friday, 2 October 2026, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja Operations Office (AOO) Emergency Response and Ambulance Bay (ERAB) received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Kugbo Furniture Market, Abuja.

“Following the alert, relevant response stakeholders, including the Federal Fire Service and other emergency responders, were immediately activated to the scene.”

NEMA said no casualties were recorded, while its preliminary assessment showed that 21 shops and one vehicle were affected.

The agency said, “No casualties were recorded during the incident. However, preliminary assessment revealed that one vehicle and 21 shops were affected by the fire.”

It added that NEMA responders supported efforts to control the crowd and assisted firefighters in containing the blaze.

The agency stated, “The fire was successfully dampened to prevent secondary outbreaks and further spread.”

NEMA also said some valuable items were recovered from the affected shops.

Emergency operations at the scene were concluded at about 1:40pm.

However, electricity supply has not been restored to the market following the fire, a trader who spoke with THE WHISTLER confirmed.