Fire Service identifies cause of fire at Kano famous market
Concerns have risen following a fire outbreak at Kano’s famous Kantin Kwari Market, with the market union promising to implement measures to prevent future fire incidents.
SolaceBase reports that the inferno broke out around 8:00 p.m., on Saturday shortly after the evening prayers, where two shops were completely destroyed, with goods worth millions of naira reduced to ashes.
The fire, according to the Kano State Fire Service, was believed to have been caused by a solar electricity fault, began at Gidan Inuwa Maimai on Bayajidda Street and spread, affecting 13 shops out of around 100 in the building.
Shamsuddini Gambo, a trader, explained that the fire was quickly brought under control due to the swift response of the market’s fire service.
Bashir Alhassan, one of the affected shop owners, confirmed that while only two shops were completely destroyed, “Around 13 shops, including mine, were partially damaged by the water used to extinguish the fire. Apart from Alhaji Zayyanu and Alhaji Tahir’s shops, no others were severely damaged.”
Read Also: Withhold allocations to states failing to conduct credible LG elections-SERAP urges Tinubu
Hoodlums Attempt Looting
As the flame raged, hoodlums reportedly gathered, armed with weapons, attempting to steal goods from the affected shops. Alhassan noted that police swiftly intervened, dispersing the suspected thieves.
“While we were trying to save our goods from the inferno, these criminals appeared, attempting to steal from us. Thankfully, the police overpowered them and foiled their plan,” Alhassan added.
Market Union to Address Fire Outbreaks
Anas Muhammad Zango, the Public Relations Officer of the Kantin Kwari Market Union, speaking on behalf of the union’s chairman, Alhaji Sa’adu Mu’azu Dogon Nama, expressed sympathy for the victims.
He assured that the union is implementing steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“One of the key measures is the immediate removal of gas cylinders used by food vendors within the market.
Additionally, shop owners using generators must relocate them outside the market,” Zango explained.
He also expressed gratitude that the damage was not worse and urged traders to cooperate with the police and fire services to maintain a safer market environment.
Solar Power Blamed for Inferno
According to Saminu Yusuf, the Kano State Fire Service’s Public Relations Officer, the inferno was traced back to a fault in the solar electricity system.
“At the time of the incident, there was no public electricity supply in the area, so it was easy to trace the cause to the solar system,” he stated.
Yusuf added that while 13 shops were affected, 11 of the shop owners managed to save their goods, with only two shops being destroyed.
Comments are closed.