A fire outbreak has destroyed several houses, shops and storage facilities at Kofar Wanbai Market in Kano State.
The incident occurred at about 9:43pm on Friday in the Babban Layi area of the Yan Robobi section of the market.
The Kano State Fire Service said firefighters were mobilised after receiving a distress call from one of its officers, Principal Fire Superintendent Usman Idris Fagge.
Firefighters were deployed from the service headquarters and stations at Rijiyar Zaki, Sabon Gari, Government House and Bompai.
According to the Fire Service, the blaze affected properties identified as Gidan Alhaji Sani, Gidan Sani Muhammad, Gidan Alhaji Kwa Kwa, Gidan Alhaji Shafi’u and Gidan Alhaji Sulaiman.
The affected two-storey building, measuring about 120 by 125 feet, was being used for plastic shops and storage facilities.
The agency said two shops on the ground floor, two shops on the first floor, six stores and four temporary stores on the upper floor were affected.
The fire started on the upper floor before spreading to the lower levels.
Firefighters were, however, able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the market.
The Kano State Fire Service attributed the outbreak to a solar system.
The incident adds to a series of fire outbreaks recorded at commercial locations in Kano this year.
In June, another late-night fire destroyed shops, offices and storage facilities along Murtala Mohammed Way in Fagge Local Government Area. The Fire Service attributed that incident to an electrical spark.
Authorities have repeatedly urged traders to improve fire-prevention measures, particularly in crowded commercial areas where a fire can quickly spread from one structure to another.
Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, again urged traders and residents to take precautions.
He advised them to install fire detectors and maintain functional fire extinguishers in homes and business premises.
He also called for strict compliance with fire-safety regulations and other preventive measures.
No casualty was reported in the Fire Service’s statement on the Kofar Wanbai outbreak.
The financial value of goods and property destroyed in the incident was not immediately disclosed.
