A massive fire has destroyed 529 temporary stalls at the popular Shuwaki Market in Gari Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists in Kano. He said the fire outbreak occurred on Thursday afternoon and spread quickly through the market before firemen were able to bring it under control.
According to Abdullahi, the fire service received a distress call at about 3:25 p.m. from one Abdulmalik Muhammad of the Gari Fire Station, reporting that parts of the Shuwaki Market were engulfed in flames.
“Immediately after receiving the call, our men were mobilised to the scene with fire-fighting vehicles and equipment,” he said. “They worked hard to stop the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.”
He explained that the affected section of the market, which measures about 3,000 by 2,500 feet and has around 1,000 temporary stalls, suffered extensive damage. Out of these, 529 stalls were completely destroyed before the fire was extinguished.
Abdullahi, however, confirmed that there were no casualties. “No life was lost in the incident,” he said, adding that the quick response of the fire service helped to prevent further destruction.
The spokesman also revealed that preliminary investigation suggested the fire may have been caused by the careless activities of some individuals who were allegedly drinking alcohol within the market premises.
He said, “The fire started as a result of the activities of some drunk individuals who reside in the market area. We are warning residents and traders to avoid such acts and to be very careful when handling fire or flammable materials.”
Abdullahi further advised traders and residents to always switch off electrical appliances and avoid storing petrol and other combustible items inside their shops to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.
Although the full extent of the damage has yet to be estimated, traders at the market are already counting their losses, as hundreds of shops containing goods and food items were completely burnt.
Fire incidents are not uncommon in Kano, especially during the dry season when high temperatures and careless handling of fire often result in serious destruction of property. The state fire service has repeatedly appealed to market associations and residents to follow safety guidelines and report emergencies promptly.
The Kano State Government is yet to release an official statement on the Shuwaki Market fire, but local traders are calling for immediate support to rebuild the affected stalls and help victims recover their livelihoods.
