Early Morning Inferno in EFAB Metropolis Estate
In a heartbreaking incident, a fire in the EFAB Metropolis Estate, Karasana area of the Federal Capital Territory, claimed the life of a five-year-old girl in the early hours of Thursday. The tragedy, which occurred at No. 16 Ottawa Street around 1 a.m., has left the estate community grieving and questioning the absence of critical firefighting infrastructure.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the fire started due to an electrical spark in a socket located in the children’s room. Despite efforts to contain the blaze, the young girl, who was upstairs when the fire broke out, could not be saved.

Residents Speak on the Incident
An estate resident, speaking anonymously, recounted the horrifying experience, saying, “The fire broke out while we were asleep. A five-year-old girl, who was upstairs in her room, tragically lost her life. The family was downstairs at the time. As big as this estate is, there is no fire station. The developer built over 1,000 houses here but didn’t provide such a critical facility.”

Another resident criticized the lack of firefighting infrastructure, arguing that the absence of a fire station within the estate exacerbated the tragedy. “Although the fire service personnel arrived promptly, they had to navigate through Kubwa before accessing the estate. If we had a fire station here, the damage could have been minimized. Originally, locations were designated for a hospital, recreation centre, and fire station, but these were sold off. A fire station is an urgent necessity to prevent future tragedies,” the resident added.

Community Leaders Respond
The Chairman of the House Owners’ Association, Afeez Olopade, expressed sorrow over the incident and pledged the community’s support to the bereaved family. He also acknowledged the critical need for firefighting infrastructure within the estate.

“This terrifying incident is something we wish we could undo. We are working closely with the affected family to provide support,” Olopade stated. He further revealed that residents had previously called for a functional fire station within the estate, given its vast expanse of over 200 hectares.

“Infrastructure development and maintenance remain under the purview of the estate developer, Blue Fountain Properties Limited, chaired by Dr. Fabian Nwaorah. We will continue engaging with the developer, government agencies, and stakeholders to ensure these facilities are provided promptly,” he added.

FCT Fire Service Confirms Cause of Fire
The acting director of the FCT Fire Service, Aminola Adebayo, confirmed that the fire was caused by an electrical spark in the children’s room. He detailed the extent of the damage, stating, “The building was a storey terrace house, and the fire consumed furniture, kitchen equipment, mattresses, and other items. Sadly, a five-year-old girl lost her life. The fire was brought under control through the combined efforts of the FCT Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service.”

Calls for Urgent Action
The incident has reignited discussions about the importance of adequate infrastructure in residential estates. Residents emphasized that the absence of a fire station and other emergency facilities in EFAB Metropolis Estate poses significant risks to lives and properties.

Community leaders and residents are urging the estate developer, Blue Fountain Properties Limited, to prioritize the construction of a fire station and other essential facilities to prevent future tragedies. Additionally, they are calling on government agencies to enforce stricter regulations on infrastructure provisions in large-scale housing developments.

A Community in Mourning
The death of the young girl has cast a pall over the EFAB Metropolis Estate. Neighbours and community members have rallied around the grieving family, offering condolences and support. However, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of preparedness and infrastructure in safeguarding lives.

As investigations into the fire continue, the community hopes that this tragedy will lead to meaningful action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.