Fire Guts Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja

Fire Guts Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja

By Olufemi Odeyemi

A fire broke out on Saturday at the headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, in Abuja, triggering an emergency response and raising concerns over the extent of damage to one of the country's key public financial institutions.

The blaze reportedly started on the fourth floor of the bank's headquarters, located opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria, before spreading to the upper section of the multi-storey building. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the structure as emergency responders rushed to the scene.

Anthony Ameh, a Zenith Bank staff member domiciled in the building, described the fire as intense, saying about four trucks of the Federal Fire Service were on ground but had struggled to bring the blaze under control. Eyewitnesses said personnel of the Federal Fire Service and other emergency agencies were deployed to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to adjoining sections of the building and nearby facilities.

Photos and videos from the scene showed flames engulfing parts of the top floor while firefighters battled the blaze with water hoses. A Facebook user who shared images of the incident said the fire appeared to keep spreading despite ongoing efforts to extinguish it.

As of press time, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, leaving questions over the cause of the fire, the level of damage, and the possible impact on the bank's operations unanswered. There was also no official confirmation of any casualties.

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is the country's primary housing finance institution. It plays a central role in providing mortgage financing, administering the National Housing Fund Scheme, and supporting the federal government's efforts to improve access to affordable housing for Nigerians.