A fire outbreak at the Singer Market in Kano has destroyed properties worth over N5 billion, affecting over 1,000 businesses and leaving seven persons missing.
The market’s Chairman, Junaid Zakari, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in kano on Sunday.
Mr Zakari described the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history, with four residential buildings housing small-scale businesses razed.
Goods, equipment, and valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
The chairman further revealed that seven persons were declared missing as of the time of filing this report.
Mr Zakari added that investigations were ongoing to determine their whereabouts to confirm whether they were alive or dead.
He said emergency responders and security agencies were working to unravel the cause of the fire.
Mr Zakari described the incident as a tragedy that would never be forgotten in the history of the historic market, stressing the urgent need for support to enable the affected traders to rebuild their businesses.
He, however, commended Gov. Abba Yusuf for visiting the scene while the fire was still raging, stating that the Governor’s swift response demonstrated concern and solidarity with the victims.
Authorities are yet to officially determine the cause of the inferno, as the affected traders continued to salvage what remained of their properties.
Isa Abubakar, a shop owner, said he lost goods worth over N200 million, saying, “from God we come, to Him we shall return.
“I am here and it is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions of Naira destroyed by fire.”
Mr Abubakar commended Mr Yusuf for visiting the scene, demonstrating concern and solidarity with the victims.
Musa Ibrahim, a market trader, recounted his experience, saying that he lost goods worth over N340 million in the fire.
“The fire had consumed everything we had,” he said, pointing to the remains of his shop.
NAN