Several shops at the popular Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano were destroyed following a fire outbreak on Saturday night.
The fire, which began at around 7pm, started at Gidan Inuwa Mai Mai on Bayajidda Street, and quickly spread to adjacent buildings in the bustling market.
The chairman of the Traders’ Association in the market, Balarabe Tatari, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire could have escalated further if not for the timely intervention of the Federal and State Fire Services.
“The prompt intervention of the Kano State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, and reinforcements from nearby Sabon Gari, Dawanau, and Singer Markets prevented the fire from escalating,” Tatari said.
Security personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities were also deployed to the scene to secure the area as firefighters battled the flames. Tatari expressed concerns over the market’s overcrowding and the lack of accessible roads, which he said contributed to the delay in getting firefighting vehicles into the area.
He called on the state government to take urgent measures to clear structures that obstruct access and improve the drainage system, noting that such issues had previously contributed to fires spreading in the market.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Fire Service spokesperson, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the fire outbreak but mentioned that full details of the incident were still being gathered.
