A fire gutted parts of the Terminus Market in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Tuesday night, destroying about 25 shops.
Zakari Sale, the market secretary, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, assuring that no lives were lost during the blaze. He revealed that the fire broke out between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., a time when most traders had closed for the day, which helped prevent casualties.
Firefighters from both the Federal Fire Service and the Plateau State Fire Service responded promptly to the emergency. Their swift action prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the market, limiting the damage to a specific section of the market.
“Thanks to the quick response of our firefighters, the fire was brought under control before it could spread further. Thankfully, no lives were lost, and the damage was not as severe as previous fire incidents in the market,” Zakari Sale said.
Terminus Market is one of the busiest commercial hubs in Jos, hosting hundreds of traders and attracting customers from within and outside the state. Over the years, it has been affected by several fire outbreaks, raising concerns about fire safety measures in the market.
While Sale did not provide an estimated value of the property lost in the fire, the destruction of 25 shops represents a significant setback for the traders, many of whom depend entirely on their businesses for their livelihoods. Most of the affected shops sell food items, clothing, electronics, and other consumer goods.
The Plateau State Fire Service has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Fire outbreaks in markets across Nigeria are often linked to electrical faults, unattended cooking equipment, or improper storage of flammable materials. Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of this particular incident.
Market fires are a recurring challenge in Nigeria. In recent years, several markets across the country, including Balogun Market in Lagos, Ariaria Market in Aba, and Dawanau Market in Kano, have suffered similar disasters, often leading to huge financial losses for traders.
According to experts, poor infrastructure, lack of fire safety equipment, and overcrowding are major contributors to these incidents. Many markets operate without sufficient fire exits, fire extinguishers, or emergency response plans.
Zakari Sale also called on government authorities and stakeholders to invest in fire prevention measures, including the installation of fire hydrants, provision of water supply, and regular inspection of electrical systems in markets. “It is important that we learn from this incident to prevent future occurrences. Traders and market authorities must work together to strengthen fire safety protocols,” he said.
Despite the setback, traders in Terminus Market are determined to resume business quickly. Many have started making arrangements to repair their shops and replace lost goods. The community and customers have also shown support, helping affected traders recover from the damage.
Residents of Jos have expressed concern over repeated fire outbreaks in major markets. They urged the government to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of traders and the public. “These incidents affect livelihoods and the local economy. Measures must be put in place to prevent another disaster,” one trader said.
The government has been called upon to provide assistance to the affected traders, either through financial support, soft loans, or grants to rebuild their businesses. Local authorities have previously provided temporary relief after market fires, but long-term strategies for prevention remain limited.
Terminus Market, like many markets in Nigeria, is central to the state’s economy. It supports not only the traders but also workers involved in transportation, storage, and supply chains. A fire outbreak in such a market has a ripple effect on the economy, affecting income and employment for hundreds of families.
Zakari Sale urged traders to be vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines, such as ensuring electrical connections are safe, switching off appliances after business hours, and avoiding storage of flammable materials near shops. He said, “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Traders must play their part to safeguard lives and property.”
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of commercial hubs in Nigeria to fire disasters. It also highlights the need for collaboration between traders, market authorities, and government agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property.
The prompt response of the fire services in Jos prevented what could have been a much larger disaster. Authorities say lessons from the incident will be used to review and improve emergency preparedness for markets across Plateau State.