The Federal Capital Territory Fire Service has attributed the fire outbreak at Cake Hut Restaurant in Wuse 2, Abuja, to objects thrown into the premises during New Year celebrations.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, was brought under control without any loss of life, according to officials.
Confirming the development, the FCT Controller of Fire Service, Engr. Zacchaeus Amiola Adebayo, said the command received a distress call at about 12:25 a.m. and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
“We received a distress call around 12:25 a.m., and our men were quickly mobilised. I was personally present at the scene,” Adebayo said.
He explained that preliminary findings showed the fire started after an object thrown from outside the restaurant landed on a thatched section of the building and ignited it.
“Our initial investigation indicates that the fire was caused by an object thrown from outside during the New Year celebrations, which fell on a thatched roof within the restaurant,” he stated.
Adebayo said personnel of the FCT Fire Service worked alongside officers of the Federal Fire Service to contain the blaze, while the police assisted by clearing traffic to ensure free access for emergency responders.
“With the combined efforts of the FCT Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service, and the support of the police in clearing the road, we were able to bring the fire under control by about 1:20 a.m.,” he said.
He confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished and that no casualties were recorded.
The fire service advised residents to exercise caution during festive celebrations to prevent similar incidents, particularly when fireworks or flammable objects are involved.
