The FCT Fire Service has blamed the devastating fire incident that claimed the life of a 5-yr-old girl, Amina Abdullahi, on Wednesday, January 15, at 16 Ottawa Street, Efab metropolis Estate, Karsana, Abuja on the estate management?s failure to comply with fire safety regulations.

The fire incident also destroyed property worth millions of naira.

Despite the prompt arrival of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, their response time was said to have been delayed due to the absence of a fire alert system, exacerbating the damage.

According to the Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Zacchaeus, the incident would have been averted if the estate management hadn?t previously rejected the installation of a vital Fire Emergency Monitoring Gateway device in the estate.

?We attempted to install the fire router on December 10, 2024, but the estate management refused to allow us to proceed. This tragic incident could have been avoided had they allowed the installation,? Zacchaeus stated while urging other estates to comply with safety measures that could prevent such disasters.

The device commonly referred to as a fire router was mandated by a 2022 National Assembly Resolution as part of a broader effort to enhance fire safety across the FCT.

The device connect buildings to a central monitoring system, allowing for real-time detection of fire incidents and faster emergency responses.

The regulatory framework, outlined in a letter sent to the estate management. A copy of the letter dated December 10, 2024, and signed by Ibrahim Muhammad Tauheed, the Head of Public Relations and Enlightenment showed that the routers were to be installed on December 17, 2024.

The letter titled, ?Re: Request to connect to the FCT Fire Emergency Monitoring Gateway? emphasised the life-saving potential of the systems, noting that they are designed to protect both lives and property.

The letter reads: ?We write to formally inform you of the newly deployed FCT Fire Emergency Monitoring Gateway and request that you connect to the gateway. This technology ensures 24/7 prompt smoke/fire detection and response from the FCT fire service.

?In fulfilment of our obligatory mandate and commitment towards ensuring the safety of lives and properties within the FCT, and in compliance with the National Assembly Resolution 2022 that all structures within FCT get connected to the Fire Emergency Monitoring Gateway through a fire alerting system (Fire Router) to effectively avert the increasing incidents of fire disasters and its devastating effects by instantly alerting the FT Fire Service and prompting immediate response, we urge you to urgently comply to this request.?

The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety compliance.

?This tragedy should be a wake-up call. We implore all estates to work with us to ensure the safety of lives and property,? Zacchaeus concluded. (Vanguard)