Nigeria, March 9 -- Reports reaching The News Chronicle indicate that a fire broke out this morning, March 9, at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, destroying the section housing the Head of Civil Service's office.

The blaze forced authorities to divert traffic around the Federal Court of Appeal, snarling movement in the area.

As of press time, the cause of the fire is currently unknown, and investigations are underway.

Witnesses described thick smoke billowing from the building as emergency services rushed to contain the inferno.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from The News Chronicle....