TheCable

Next Cash and Carry, a supermarket in the federal capital territory (FCT), has been gutted by fire.

The supermarket is located along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado-Kuchi area of Jahi-Kado expressway.

According to witnesses, the fire started around 8am on Sunday.

TheCable understands that there were attempts to loot items at the supermarket while the inferno raged on.

According to the FCT police command, three suspects were arrested while in the process of looting.

Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said: “The suspects who made attempts to cart away goods from the store and were promptly arrested include (1) Ali Audu aged 18 Years; (2) Yahaya Yunusa aged 20 Years; and (3) Sahabi Abubakar aged 20 Years.”

Ugo Huan, 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.

“The service has turned out firefighters to the scene, who are currently fighting the fire,” Huan said.

“Members of the public are to take note and avoid that route.”

Huan said firefighters from over three different zones, including the FCT fire service, are at the scene.

He said the cause of the fire was not yet known as further investigation would be carried out.

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.

Philip Paul, another customer, expressed sadness over the incident as he described the supermarket as a “big shopping centre”.

“It is so unfortunate this happened at this time when the store must have been stocked up for the festive season,” he said.

“This is a great loss, and I sympathise with the management of this supermarket.”