The headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Abuja was gutted by fire on Saturday night.
The Federal Mortgage Bank Abuja fire triggered an immediate emergency response, with eyewitnesses initially describing the blaze as intense and difficult to contain.Speaking to Daily Post at the scene, Anthony Ameh, a Zenith Bank staff member based within the Mortgage Bank building, said the fire was very intense.
“About four trucks of Fire Service are here but they are unable to quench it,” he said at the time. Another eyewitness, Facebook user Praise Chukwu, shared photographs from the scene, saying the fire continued to spread across the top floor of the building despite efforts by emergency responders.
FMBN’s Official AccountIn a statement issued Sunday, Joe Abuku, group head of corporate communications at FMBN, said the fire broke out in parts of the bank’s head office in Abuja’s Central Business District a few minutes past 8pm on Saturday, affecting sections of the second floor.
“This is to inform the general public that an unfortunate fire incident occurred on parts of the second floor of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Head Office in the Central Business District of Abuja, at a few minutes past 8pm on Saturday,” the statement read.
According to FMBN, combined teams from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service responded promptly and were able to contain the flames and bring the fire under control. The bank confirmed that no injuries were recorded.Conflicting Initial Reports on Where the Fire Started
Early eyewitness accounts and several news outlets reported that the fire began on the fourth floor of the building, located directly opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, before spreading upward. Other reports pointed to the third floor. FMBN’s own statement, however, identifies the second floor as the affected area. The discrepancy likely reflects the fast-moving nature of initial on-the-ground reporting versus the bank’s later, more precise account.
The cause of the fire had not been officially confirmed at the time of the bank’s statement.About the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 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.
