More than 80 shops were destroyed in an early morning fire at Kasuwar Yan Katako (Timber market) in Rijiyar Lemo, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the Control Room received a distress call at about 4:28 a.m. from Kabiru Nafi’u, reporting a fire outbreak at the timber market.
Firefighters from Dawanau, Rijiyar Zaki and Bompai fire stations were immediately sent to the scene.
“On arrival, firefighters found a timber market measuring about 500 by 500 feet engulfed in flames,” the statement said.
The fire completely burnt about 30 permanent shops and 55 temporary shops.
Three fire trucks; Com 23, Com 17 and Com 2 were deployed to put out the fire.
The Fire Service said the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
In a related development, the Service also responded to another fire outbreak at Zamson Filling Station along Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Fagge Local Government Area within the same hour.
The statement said a petrol tanker caught fire while offloading fuel into an underground storage tank. Firefighters from the headquarters quickly moved to the scene and contained the blaze.
“The fire slightly affected parts of the tanker truck. Through swift intervention, the firefighters successfully contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading further,” the statement added.
The Fire Service advised traders to check electrical installations before closing their shops and urged filling station operators and tanker drivers to strictly follow safety rules when handling fuel.
Residents were also encouraged to report fire incidents early to prevent loss of lives and property.
