VIDEO: Fire outbreak causes panic at N’Assembly complex

Panic briefly gripped the Senate wing of the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday following a fire outbreak near a hearing room. Smoke filled the area, prompting lawmakers and staff to evacuate as emergency procedures were initiated.

Video clips circulating on social media captured the tense moments, with some voices suggesting the fire originated from a gas appliance or noting the absence of a fire extinguisher. The incident occurred shortly after the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission had concluded a screening session.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the fire began in the kitchen area of the hearing room, potentially triggered by a microwave left on. Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Salihu Mustapha were among those who took immediate action, leading manual efforts to combat the flames using water and detergents before the fire could spread significantly.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Normal activities in the affected area resumed soon after the situation was brought under control. Authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing the exact cause of the fire or outlining any preventive measures to be implemented.