Vitaform Shops Razed In Jos
On Thursday, the north central zonal office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it responded to a fire outbreak at Vitafoam shops located at the Old Airport Junction, Jos, Plateau State.
The agency in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) page said the fire incident was reported on Wednesday around 4:30 PM, and it affected 12 shops, though no lives were lost.
The Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Eugene Nyelong, said that major stakeholders, including the State and Federal Fire Services, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), the Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were immediately mobilised to contain the situation.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
NEMA said it has intensified efforts to prevent similar incidents during the dry harmattan season.
The post read, “NEMA North Central Zonal office received a distress call about a fire outbreak at around 4:30 p.m. affecting Vitaform shops at the Old Airport Junction Jos.
“The Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Eugene Nyelong has since activated and mobilized stakeholders to respond at the scene of the incident. Major stakeholders like the State and Federal Fire Service, SEMA, JMDB, the Nigerian Police, and the NSCDC are presently at the scene. 12 lockup shops are affected with no lives lost. The cause of the fire remains unknown.”
The agency also stated that it has launched a nationwide fire awareness campaign, noting that the initiative includes extensive sensitization programs, particularly in fire-prone regions.
It said the South West Zonal office has already begun community outreach programmes to educate the public in high-risk areas such as markets and densely populated neighbourhoods.
NEMA noted that the programme is aimed at fire prevention, preparedness, and response strategies, with a focus on common hazards such as the improper handling of flammable substances and faulty electrical installations.
The campaign will also promote safety measures and emergency procedures while encouraging active community involvement.
NEMA urges residents to adopt safe practices and promptly report hazards to create fire-resilient communities and protect lives and property.
Vitaform Shops Razed In Jos is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
