Textile
A devastating fire has consumed several shops at the renowned Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano State, leaving some traders with significant losses.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out on Saturday around 7 p.m. at Gidan Inuwa Mai Mai on Bayajidda Street, spreading rapidly through numerous shops.
The inferno, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, destroyed textiles and other valuables worth billions of Naira.
Among the affected traders is Alh. Yahaya Hotoro, as confirmed by Saminu Abdullahi, spokesperson for the Kano State Fire Service.
Hotoro disclosed that over 50 shops and stores were destroyed before the fire service arrived at the scene
Muhammed Inuwa, who also owns a shop at the Kantin Kwari textile market, said he lost fabrics and other items of clothing worth millions of naira to the disaster.
The fire was, however extinguished, following interventions by the Kano State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service and reinforcements from private companies, Sabon Gari, Dawanau, and Singa Markets, it was learnt.
The Chairman of the traders’ association, Balarabe Tatari, also confirmed the incident to newsmen, saying it would have been worse but the timely response from the Federal Fire Service, Kano State Fire Service, and private companies, along with support from Sabon Gari, Dawanau, and Singa Markets, averted further spread.
He also commended the presence of personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and other authorities for ensuring security at the market.
The market’s congestion and inadequate access roads, according to Tatari, were among factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
“The state government should do everything possible to clear the obstructions that hinder movements and block drainage channels in the market,” he opined.
