By Peter Omopo
An evening fire outbreak has destroyed more than 1,000 shops at the popular Singa Market in Kano State, just days before the commencement of Ramadan, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
The inferno, which broke out on Saturday at the Gidan Glass section of the market, razed goods and property estimated to be worth billions of naira. The affected area, also known as Gidan Gilas or “Gidan Mai,” is largely occupied by provision stores.
Firefighters battled through the night to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining sections of the market. They were supported by other security agencies who assisted in crowd control and emergency response efforts.
Traders were seen scrambling to salvage what remained of their goods, while others sifted through the charred debris in search of recoverable items. The incident has sparked concerns among business owners, particularly as many had stocked up in preparation for increased demand during Ramadan.
Officials of the Singa Market Development Association confirmed that no fewer than 1,000 shops were affected by the fire. Several traders reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries during the chaos, while about seven persons are still unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.
The (NEMA) confirmed it had deployed a response team to the scene to help contain the inferno and mitigate its impact. In a statement shared late Saturday via its official X handle, the agency said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the and other relevant authorities.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the fire, while assessment of the full extent of damage is ongoing.
The incident adds to a series of market fires recorded in parts of the country, further heightening concerns over fire safety in major commercial hubs.
