Traders at the popular Singa Market in Kano State are grappling with heavy financial losses following a devastating fire that lasted for nearly 24 hours.
The inferno, which reportedly started in a provision shop at Gidan Gashash on Saturday afternoon, spread swiftly across the market, destroying goods and property estimated to be worth billions of naira.
The spokesperson for the State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed that firefighters were mobilised immediately.
The official, however, stated that poor access roads and severe traffic congestion greatly hampered the firefighters’ operations.
“The fire broke out in the Gidan Gashash area. While our personnel and vehicles were mobilised promptly, the lack of accessible routes and heavy human traffic made it difficult to reach the heart of the blaze in time,” Mr Abdullahi explained.
During a visit to the scene, Governor Abba Yusuf described the incident as a monumental tragedy.
The governor expressed deep sympathy for the victims and assured them of state support while calling on the federal government to provide swift intervention.
The governor also urged improved safety measures, noting that this was the second fire to hit the market this month. A previous blaze on 2 February destroyed large warehouses at the same market.
The atmosphere at the market late on Saturday was one of deep sorrow as traders rummaged through piles of burnt metal and ash.
For many, the fire did not just destroy goods; it wiped out decades of hard-earned capital, as one of them only identified as Alhaji Musa, a wholesale grocer, stood motionless before the remains of his shop.
“I watched my life’s work turn to smoke in hours,” he lamented. “We tried to salvage what we could, but the heat was unbearable, and the smoke was suffocating.”
Another trader, Ibrahim Wada, said: “Before the time the path was cleared for the fire trucks, there was nothing left but charcoal.”
Beyond the physical destruction of goods, a sense of insecurity hovered over the ruins. While many sympathisers rushed to assist, others exploited the chaos to loot the few items that survived the flames.
“It is a double tragedy,” said Baba Habu, a trader who specialises in bulk detergent. “You are fighting the fire while watchful of some miscreants whose intentions were to loot.”
