Fire Razes Kano Wood Market, Destroys Goods Worth Millions

An early morning fire on Monday razed parts of the Maganda Road wood market in Kano State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and at least eight vehicles.

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident, saying it received a distress call at about 6:05 a.m. and promptly deployed firefighters to the scene.

Spokesperson of the service, Saminu Yusif, said the fire, which started in the wood section of the market, spread to a nearby mechanic workshop and adjoining shops before it was brought under control.

Eyewitnesses, however, said the inferno began around 3:00 a.m., hours before traders arrived, allowing it to engulf large sections of the market.

“We later started trying to put it off before the fire service personnel came. Nobody could tell the exact cause because we were all at home when it started,” said a trader, Nura Umar.

The fire reportedly affected more than 50 business premises within the market, which hosts thousands of traders.

Another victim, Engineer Abdulwahab Ilori, said he lost heavy machinery, including lathe, welding and drilling equipment, describing his losses as running into millions of naira.

“If I am to re-establish what I lost, it will cost millions,” he said, adding that several auto spare parts shops and vehicles brought in for repairs were also destroyed.

Ilori further disclosed that a newly delivered vehicle valued at about ₦14 million was among items lost to the fire.

The affected traders have appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals for assistance, saying many of them have been left without means of livelihood.

The Kano State Fire Service said it is still assessing the extent of damage and investigating the cause of the fire, noting that no life was lost in the incident.