Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has expressed sympathy over Sunday’s fire incident at the Next Cash and Carry Supermarket in Abuja.

Recall that goods and property worth billions of Naira were lost to the fire.

Farouq’s Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Nneka Anibeze on Monday in Abuja quoted her as decrying the rising incidents of fire disasters in the country and calling for caution to avoid repeats.

“This is a sad occurrence happening on a day of celebration. It is most unfortunate for those who lost their goods and livelihood at this critical time.

“This is the harmattan season and prone to a lot of sparks and fire disasters.

“We urge shop owners, traders and market dwellers to be more vigilant and to endeavour to switch off all appliances before leaving their shops and markets.

“The fire at Next Cash and Carry is very unfortunate and we pray that this does not happen again,’’ she was also quoted as saying.

The fire at the shopping complex was reported to have been caused by electrical malfunctions.

NAN