Contrary to speculation that there was a fire outbreak in the presidential villa on Saturday, the presidency says the incident did not occur inside the villa.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu said the minor fire incident which occurred on Saturday, broke out burning shrubs between the outer wire fence and walls surrounding the Villa, precisely in the area between the Villa and the Barracks, towards Asokoro.

Shehu said the fire, as being speculated, might have started from a passerby dropping a burning cigarette.

He said the Federal Fire Service will ascertain the reason for it when they complete their investigation.

The presidential spokesman said the bush fire, which started and ended outside the perimeter walls of the Villa, was seamlessly contained by fire stations of the State House and the one nearby from the Federal Fire Service. 

He said there was no loss of life nor property in the incident.

He thanked well-meaning Nigerians for expressing concerns over the incident.