By Traders at Kumo Main Market in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State are counting heavy losses after a devastating fire outbreak razed several shops and goods in the early hours of Sunday.
The fire, which reportedly started at about 2:00 a.m., spread rapidly through sections of the busy market, destroying container shops, stores, and foodstuff stalls, many of which were fully stocked before the incident.
Due to the intensity and swift spread of the blaze, affected traders were unable to salvage their goods as the fire completely consumed their shops. The incident has caused serious economic hardship, especially for small-scale traders who rely on daily sales for their livelihood.
The extent of the destruction was further worsened by the lack of an immediate response from fire service personnel, forcing traders and nearby residents to depend on local efforts to control the situation. The fire was eventually brought under control before it could engulf the entire market.
As at the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Meanwhile, affected traders have appealed to the government and relevant authorities to improve fire safety measures and strengthen emergency response systems within the market to prevent similar incidents in the future.
