New Year: 11-Year-Old Dies In Bayelsa Fire As FFS Saves N1.5bn Property In Abuja

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) commenced 2026 battling multiple fire outbreaks across the country within hours of entering the New Year.

The FFS saved property worth N1.5bn in an incident in Abuja, but recorded the death of an 11-year-old child in a candle-related fire in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

A statement on Thursday by the FFS spokesperson, DCF P.O. Abraham, noted that firefighters were mobilised at exactly 00:23 hours on January 1 to a fire outbreak at Cake Hot Restaurant, located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.

Fire fighters, in collaboration with the FCT Fire Service, brought the fire under control and prevented what could have escalated into a major disaster in the busy recreational area.

Although a section of the restaurant’s garden was affected, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded. The FFS disclosed that property valued at approximately N1.5bn was saved, while losses were estimated at about N500m.

Preliminary investigations linked the incident to objects thrown during New Year celebrations

In Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, firefighters responded to a residential fire where property worth N10m was salvaged. Losses in the incident totalled N20m. The fire claimed the life of an 11-year-old child.

The Service described the Yenagoa incident as deeply painful and avoidable, stressing that many fire outbreaks result from preventable everyday actions.

Firefighters also responded to fire incidents in Lagos, Imo, Gombe, Kwara, and other locations during the holidays.

The Controller General of the FFS, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, had placed all firefighters on standby and barred personnel from proceeding on holiday or leave throughout the festive period.

Adeyemi had urged earlier cautions Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles, and all forms of open flames indoors, especially during the harmattan season when dry weather conditions make fires spread rapidly.

He also warned of the dangers posed by electrical faults and power surges, advising residents to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use or when leaving their homes, and to avoid overloading sockets and extension boxes.

Adeyemi sympathised with the owner of the affected restaurant in Abuja and conveyed condolences to the family of the child lost in Yenagoa.

The FFS advised the public to report fire incidents via 08032005737.

“As we have seen from Abuja to Yenagoa, fire can break out in seconds. But with vigilance and adherence to basic safety measures, many of these incidents are preventable. Lives and livelihoods must always come before celebrations,” Adeyemi warned