More than 80 shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak at Kasuwar Yan Katako (Timber Market) in Rijiyar Lemo, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday. According to the Kano State Fire Service, a distress call was received at 4:28 a.m., prompting firefighters from Dawanau, Rijiyar Zaki, and Bompai stations to respond.
The blaze engulfed a 500-by-500-foot area, destroying 30 permanent shops and 55 temporary shops. Three fire trucks were deployed to contain the inferno. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Separately, the Fire Service also contained a petrol tanker fire at Zamson Filling Station along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, which ignited while offloading fuel. No casualties were reported in either incident.
Key Points:
The fire has caused massive financial losses for traders, many of whom may have been uninsured.
It disrupts livelihoods and supply chains in one of Kano’s major timber markets.
Affected shop owners bear the direct economic brunt, while the market community faces months of recovery.
The incident highlights recurring fire safety vulnerabilities in Nigerian markets, particularly inadequate preventive measures.
The timing, during early morning hours, likely prevented higher casualty figures.
Investigations continue into the cause, while affected traders now face the arduous task of rebuilding their businesses.
Sources: Kano State Fire Service, Daily Post Nigeria, Daily Trust