Early morning fire has ravaged the Fatima Simra Multi-Purpose Market in Dakata Quarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, destroying several shops and goods.
The Chairman of the market’s fire committee, Dauda Haruna Chula, confirmed the incident, saying the inferno started around 5:40am. on Friday.
He explained that the affected shops were mainly small-scale businesses engaged in oil production, as well as recycling of plastics and nylon.
“From the preliminary what we have seen, about 50 shops are already down and the fire is still ongoing.
“We are still expecting the Kano State Fire Service personnel,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze spread rapidly through sections of the market largely occupied by small-scale businesses involved in oil production as well as the recycling of plastics and nylon materials.
The highly flammable nature of the items is believed to have contributed to the intensity of the fire.
Confirming the development to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, said firefighters were still battling to contain the raging inferno at the time of filing this report.
“As I’m speaking with you, our personnel are at the scene trying to put out the fire, which is still raging.
“We are yet to ascertain the cause of the inferno and the extent of the damage,” he stated.
The latest incident has heightened concerns among traders and residents, especially following the recent two separate fire outbreaks recorded at Singer Market, which resulted in losses estimated at billions of naira.
During a sympathy visit to the affected traders at Singer Market, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf donated N100 million to cushion the impact of the losses.
In addition, the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors Forum contributed N8 billion to support victims.
As investigations continue, affected traders at Fatima Simra Market are counting their losses and calling for improved fire safety measures to prevent recurring disasters in commercial hubs across Kano State.
