Scores traders in Kano’s biggest Sabon Gari Market, and their counterparts in Brinin Kebbi, in Kebbi State are now in sorrow over two fire incidents which destroyed properties and good worth over N200billion.
According to an eyewitness account, the cause of the fire outbreak, which started at about 3am at the text books/educational instruction material section of the market was yet to be established as at the time of filing this report.
Moments after the fire outbreak, it spread from stall to stall, at the end of which it spread to a nearby four bank branches, ravaging vital documents in the process but it could not be readily ascertained whether it consumed cash deposits in the bank’s still reinforce vault.
What was, however, worrisome was that none availability of water and battery in the fire fighters’ vehicles located in the market prevented them from promptly combating the fire. It was a sorry sight, as the fire fighters watched helplessly as the inferno spread through the clusters of shops, consuming everything in sight.
At the close of the day, not less than 600 shops were razed beyond redemption. Besides, the fire fighters watched helplessly, while the fire raged in circles to the skies and enveloped the entire vicinity, with thick black smoke, coupled with intermittent fierce fire balls.
Apart from that, all routes leading to the scene of the fire disaster were blocked with motorbikes, hand trucks, as well as human traffic, all of whom were struggling for passage to salvage their precious wares.
In Kebbi State, it was also a tale of woes as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in another fire outbreak at Birnin Kebbi Central Market.
Briefing newsmen at the scene, the Chairman Birnin Kebbi Market Association Alhaji Umar Danguna Gwandangwaji said that the fire started around 12.30am and more than half of the market was affected. He explained further that this was not the first term they experienced the fire outbreak in the market and promised to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the inferno.
“We don’t have light in the market and we are yet to ascertain the cause and the level of the damage” he added. Also speaking while visiting the place the Emir of Gwandu, Mohammadu Eliyasu Bashr expressed dismay over the incident, and urged the affected people to take heart and assured them of government support towards resettling them elsewhere.
The Chairman Birnin Kebbi Local Government and the General Manager in charge of Market. Mohammad Abubakar Ambusa and Abubakar Bello Badam assured the people that government would look at the matter and put smile on the faces of affected people.
Addressing newsmen, the member representing Birnin Kebbi in the state House of Assembly and also the House Leader, Hon. Bello Yakubu Relisco expressed shock and sympathy over the inferno, assuring them that being a lawmaker they would contribute by setting up a committee to know the level of the damage and the causes in order to prevent the future reoccurrence.
