The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed a series of tragic incidents across the state on Thursday, including the deaths of a man, his son, and a rescuer who all lost their lives inside a well. Two children also died in separate emergencies on the same day.
The agency described the incidents as heartbreaking and called on residents to take safety warnings seriously, especially during emergencies involving wells and fire outbreaks.
According to a statement signed by the Fire Service spokesperson, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the state recorded three major incidents between late morning and evening, leading to multiple fatalities.
The first incident occurred at Badawa Layin Day by Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area around 11:57 am. Firefighters from the agency’s headquarters were dispatched after receiving a distress call about a house on fire.
By the time they arrived, a residential building measuring about 25 by 20 feet had already been engulfed by flames. Two bedrooms, according to the agency, were heavily affected.
Inside the burning house was a 10-year-old girl trapped by the fire. Firefighters were able to bring her out unconscious, but despite efforts to save her, she was confirmed dead shortly afterward and handed over to her parents.
The cause of the fire was not immediately disclosed, but officials urged residents to be cautious with flammable materials and electrical appliances, noting that fire outbreaks remain common in densely populated areas.
A second and even more devastating incident occurred at Badume Kanawa Village in Bichi Local Government Area. A routine activity turned tragic when a 65-year-old man, identified as Sa’idu Gada, was working inside a well and the rope supporting him suddenly snapped.
His 20-year-old son, Sani Isyaku, immediately rushed into the well in an attempt to rescue him. But he too became trapped and failed to make it out.
A third man, 60-year-old Yakubu Abdullahi, then entered the well to save both men. He also became stuck due to what the fire service described as dangerous conditions in the confined space.
Firefighters eventually arrived and managed to bring all three men out of the well, but they were unconscious at the time of rescue. Medical officials later confirmed all three dead. Their bodies were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.
Well accidents are a recurring challenge in many rural communities across Nigeria, where residents often rely on deep, manually dug wells for water. In many cases, lack of protective equipment, poor ventilation, and poisonous gases contribute to deaths.
The third tragedy of the day happened in Danbatta Local Government Area at Layin Abba Dabo. Around 6:02 pm, the Danbatta Fire Station received a distress call that a 10-year-old boy, identified as Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, had fallen into a well.
Firefighters responded quickly and rescued the boy, but he was already unconscious. He was later declared dead. His body was handed over to his father, Iliyasu Haruna.
The Fire Service noted that many well accidents involving children occur when wells are left uncovered or poorly secured. They urged homeowners to take preventive measures such as installing covers, fences, or warning signs around wells.
The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, expressed deep sadness over the incidents and issued a strong warning to the public. He said people must stop attempting dangerous rescues inside wells without proper equipment or training.
“People should stop entering wells to rescue others. This behaviour is dangerous and leads to unnecessary loss of lives,” Anas said.
He explained that wells often contain harmful gases, narrow passages, or unstable structures, which make rescue attempts extremely hazardous, even for trained professionals. In many cases, those who attempt to rescue others end up becoming victims themselves.
He urged residents to always call the Fire Service or other trained emergency teams when accidents happen, rather than trying to handle the situation alone.
Kano State has recorded several cases of fire outbreaks and well-related accidents in recent years. The state’s large population, combined with dense housing and reliance on wells, contributes to these recurring emergencies.
In many communities, open wells remain a primary source of water because of limited access to pipe-borne water. These wells are often deep, poorly covered, and lack proper safety features. When emergencies occur, families and neighbours commonly attempt rescue efforts out of fear and urgency, rather than waiting for trained responders.
Similarly, fire outbreaks increase especially during the dry season, when high temperatures and strong winds make homes more vulnerable. Electrical faults, cooking fires, and careless handling of fuel are among the most common causes.
The Kano State Fire Service regularly responds to hundreds of emergencies each year, ranging from household fires to well rescues, vehicle accidents, and flooding. Officials have repeatedly urged residents to prioritise safety and call emergency services immediately when disasters occur.
Residents of Badawa, Bichi, and Danbatta communities expressed shock over the tragic deaths. Several eyewitnesses described the incidents as painful but avoidable.
A resident of Badume Kanawa told our correspondent that the community is devastated by the deaths of the three men. “It happened so fast. Before we knew it, they were all inside the well,” he said, adding that many villagers are now calling for safety training and better equipment.
Another resident of Danbatta said children often play near wells because many homes do not have fenced compounds. “We need awareness. Wells must be covered or closed. Too many children are dying this way,” he said.
The Fire Service emphasised that many of the tragedies could be prevented with simple measures such as covering wells, repairing damaged ropes, installing barriers, and keeping children away from dangerous areas.
The agency promised to continue public safety campaigns across local government areas and said it would work with traditional and community leaders to raise awareness.
“We cannot stop all accidents, but we can prevent many of them,” spokesperson Abdullahi said.
