By More than 80 shops were destroyed in the early hours of Wednesday following a fire outbreak at Kasuwar ’Yan Katako (Timber Market) in Rijiyar Lemo, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the Fire Service Control Room received a distress call at about 4:28 a.m. from Kabiru Nafi’u, reporting that a fire had broken out at the timber market.
Firefighters from Dawanau, Rijiyar Zaki and Bompai fire stations were immediately deployed to the scene.
“On arrival, firefighters found a timber market measuring about 500 by 500 feet engulfed in flames,” the statement said.
The inferno completely destroyed about 30 permanent shops and 55 temporary structures within the market.
Three fire trucks — Com 23, Com 17 and Com 2 — were mobilised to contain the blaze. The Fire Service said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In a related development, the Service also responded to another fire incident within the same hour at Zamson Filling Station along Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Fagge Local Government Area.
The statement explained that a petrol tanker caught fire while discharging fuel into an underground storage tank. Firefighters from the headquarters swiftly moved to the location and successfully contained the blaze.
“The fire slightly affected parts of the tanker truck. Through swift intervention, the firefighters prevented it from spreading further,” the statement added.
The Fire Service advised traders to ensure electrical installations are properly checked before closing their shops. It also urged filling station operators and tanker drivers to strictly adhere to safety regulations when handling petroleum products.
Residents were encouraged to promptly report fire outbreaks to minimise loss of lives and property.
