Nigeria’s online newspaper, Premium Times on Friday suffered a fire outbreak at its head office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident was confirmed by the online medium who equally reported it on their website. The newsroom and other properties were destroyed in the process.
It said: “Fire razed a section of the PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja on Friday, damaging the newspaper’s newsroom and destroying properties.
“The fire started from the office of the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Musikilu Mojeed, shortly after he left for jumaat prayers.
“A thick smoke biĺlowing from the office alerted editors next door to the incident. They forced the door open but were pushed back by the smoke.
“The federal and FCT fire services were immediately contacted.
“The building was evacuated as staff and witnesses used extinguishers to battle the inferno before the firefighters arrived at the scene in the Wuse area of Abuja.
“The fire destroyed the office of the Editor-in-Chief and sprayed soot on the newsroom and other offices.
“Computers, printers, furniture, documents, as well as the personal effects of Mr Mojeed were all destroyed.
“The fire, which started at about 1.30 p.m., forced the newspaper to cancel its weekly editorial meeting.
“Staff members were baffled by the suddenness of the fire. But fire officers suspected an electrical fault as the cause.”
