Fire razes six houses, shops at Kano market

A late-night fire has damaged six houses, shops and storage spaces at Kofar Wanbai Market in Kano State, with firefighters preventing the blaze from spreading to other sections of the busy market.

The Kano State Fire Service said the incident occurred at about 9:43 p.m. on Friday in the Babban Layi area of the Yan Robobi section.

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to him, firefighters were mobilised after a distress call was received from Principal Fire Superintendent Usman Idris Fagge, leading to the deployment of personnel from the state headquarters and stations at Rijiyar Zaki, Sabon Gari, Government House and Bompai.

Abdullahi said the fire affected properties identified as Gidan Alhaji Sani, Gidan Sani Muhammad, Gidan Alhaji Kwa Kwa, Gidan Alhaji Shafi’u and Gidan Alhaji Sulaiman.

He explained that the affected two-storey structure, measuring about 120 by 125 feet, housed 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 blaze reportedly started from the upper floor and spread downward before firefighters arrived to bring it under control.

“The cause of the fire was traced to a solar system,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the firefighting operation successfully stopped the flames from extending to other buildings and sections of the market.

The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, subsequently appealed to traders and residents to strengthen fire-prevention measures.

Anas advised business owners and households to install fire detectors, maintain functional fire extinguishers and comply with established fire-safety regulations to minimise the risk of future outbreaks.