Tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon as a massive fire ravaged Nigeria’s Federal Secretariat Phase II, a government complex in the capital city of Abuja.
The inferno, which started 2:30 p.m quickly spread throughout the building, engulfing several floors and causing extensive damage.
Confirming the fire incident, Mohammed Ahmed, Director, Communications in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF), said the explosion from the Electrical Utility Room on the 3rd Floor of Block C
“At about 2:30 p.m., today, there was a fire incident at the Block C of the Federal Secretariat, Phase II, Abuja,” he said in a statement.
” The fire was triggered by an explosion from the Electrical Utility Room on the 3rd Floor of Block C being used as a Solar and Inverter Room by the present occupant, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The incident, which was brought under control by the prompt response of personnel from the Federal, as well as the FCT Fire Services at about 5:00 p. m., affected the Utility Rooms on the second to the eighth floors of the building.
“The Permanent Secretaries, Common Services Office-OHCSF, Mrs. Lydia S. Jafiya and Special Duties Office, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo and Directors from the affected MDAs were on ground, while the operation lasted.
“The Federal Secretariat Phase II houses several government ministries and agencies, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance. “
The extent of the damage caused by the fire is still being assessed, but it is expected to significantly disrupt government operations and affect thousands of civil servants who work in the complex.
