Kano Market Fire Destroys Houses, Shops And Stores

A late-night fire at Kofar Wanbai Market in Kano destroyed houses, shops and storage facilities, leaving traders counting losses after firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading further through the market.

The Kano State Fire Service said the fire broke out around 9:43pm on Friday at Babban Layi in the Yan Robobi section. The affected building was used for plastic trading and storage, according to reports based on the agency’s statement.

Firefighters were deployed from the service headquarters and stations at Rijiyar Zaki, Sabon Gari, Government House and Bompai. The service said the blaze started from the upper floor before spreading to the first and ground floors.

The affected properties included two shops on the ground floor, two shops on the first floor, six stores and four temporary stores on the upper floor. Several reports also identified six houses or buildings among the damaged property.

The fire service traced the cause to a solar power system. Its director, Sani Anas, asked traders and residents to install fire detectors, keep working extinguishers and follow basic fire-safety measures.

No casualty figure was reported in the verified accounts. The incident adds to recurring concerns about fire outbreaks in Kano markets, where traders have suffered repeated losses from similar disasters this year.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post, Daily Trust