Popular wholesale and retail outlet in the Kado area of Abuja, Next Cash and Carry Supermarket, is currently on fire.
Eyewitness report videos viewed by Nairametrics show the entire roof of the complex on fire with cases of looting going on. Another eyewitness account video shows looters getting away with food, home appliances, electronics and other items.
The Management of the Supermarket is yet to make an official statement on the cause of the fire, but the men of the Federal Fire Service Department are already on ground trying to contain the fire.
Ugo Huan, the spokesperson of the Federal Fire Service, has advised residents to avoid the area as firefighters are battling to put out the fire and prevent its spread.
Sandra Emeka, a witness at the scene, told NAN that she was at the gate of the supermarket trying to gain entrance to the compound when she noticed dark smoke coming out of the store.
“I don’t know where the fire started from or what caused it, but I just noticed the smoke and heard people around telling us to move back that there was fire,” she said.
Meanwhile the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello on expressed sadness over the fire incident at Next Cash and Carry Supermarket in Abuja, on Sunday.
Bello stated that on behalf of the FCT Administration and residents of the territory commiserated with the management and staff of the supermarket and the FCT business community over the unfortunate incident.
The FCT Minister also revealed the Federal Fire Service, and the Fire Service Departments of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Guards Brigade and Julius Berger Nig. Plc also responded with their fire engines and promised a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire.
