By Samuel Solomon
Traders at Kingsway home appliances Market along Murtala Muhammad Way in Kano have been left counting heavy losses after a late-night fire destroyed scores of shops.
The market is known for selling fairly used home appliances like fridge, air condition, fridge, doors, carpets chairs, tables and cushions, among others.
Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out around 10pm on Thursday and raged until Friday morning.
Kabiru Idris Muhammad, one of the affected traders, told pressmen that the State fire service brought more than 10 vehicles to quench it.
He said “We don’t know the cause yet. It was very deadly and very few valuables were evacuated, virtually everything burnt down. One of the shops here supplies air conditioners from Lagos, another sells carpets, and someone lost almost eight shops.
“Nobody can estimate the loss, but we are talking of hundreds of millions of naira. Close to 100 temporary shops were burnt,” he added.
He also confirmed that the fire has affected part of courier service company,
The trader also described the fire as the worst they have witnessed in the market history.
“We want government to quickly help us; we are in serious problem,” he lamented.
Another trader, Usama Usman, said they were alerted after the fire had already consumed much of the market.
“We were called and told the fire had started last night. When we came, we asked the market security and he said the fire just started. But by the time we arrived, everything was completely burnt. Nothing was picked,” he said.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident, adding that it was caused by an electric spark.
According to the statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the firefighters from the headquarters and other metropolitan stations were immediately mobilised to the scene.
He added that, “On arrival, they found a one-storey building and an adjoining open commercial area of about 300 by 200 feet engulfed in flames.
“Preliminary findings revealed that the fire started from the salvage yard (Takumbo market), destroying a large quantity of properties before spreading to the upper floor of the Kanawa Building,” Abdullahi said.
The service also confirmed that the fire has destroyed two offices, two parlours, two toilets, and one kitchen, as well as two stores located on the ground floor of TUSRAYS Nigeria Ltd.
The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, advised members of the public to take necessary precautions against fire outbreaks and to promptly report any incidents to the nearest station.
