A devastating fire incident swept through a section of Singa Market in Kano State on Saturday, leaving several shops and goods valued at millions of naira in ruins.
Gatekeepers News reports that the blaze reportedly started at Gidan Gilas, widely known as “Gidan Mai,” an area largely occupied by provision stores and small-scale traders. Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to the dense arrangement of shops and the presence of flammable materials, causing panic among traders and nearby residents.
As the flames intensified, shop owners made frantic efforts to rescue their merchandise, while others attempted to stop the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings. The situation quickly became chaotic as thick smoke and intense heat forced many people to retreat.
Firefighters from the Kano State Fire Service arrived with a fire truck and immediately began battling the inferno. However, their initial efforts were hindered when the water supply from the first truck ran out, necessitating the deployment of a second fire truck. A private company also contributed a water tanker to support the firefighting operation.
Residents and traders at the scene said more water tankers were needed to fully contain the fire and prevent further destruction, noting that the crowded nature of the market made access and movement difficult for emergency responders.
Although no casualties were reported at the time of filing this report, many traders were left counting heavy losses, as several shops were completely razed along with their contents.
The cause of the fire had not yet been determined, and investigations were expected to commence to establish the source of the outbreak.
The incident has deepened concerns among traders, coming just weeks after a similar fire disaster at the same market, which also resulted in significant losses and heightened fears over safety conditions in the area.
