Millions Of Naira Lost, As Fire Engulfs Popular Kano GSM Market

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A daylight inferno has razed no fewer than  250 shops and business premises with goods and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed at the popular and ever busy Kano GSM market at the Farm Centre area of the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria.

The fire incident which some eye witness account said occurred at about 2.00 pm on Friday, June 6, reportedly began from the Dan Sileka building inside the market, causing significant damage, and huge losses to over 1000 persons.

According to one insider- source, although between 250 and 300 shops mostly those containing mobile phones and accessories are believed to be involved, there are however over a thousand affected operators.

According him, each of the  shops at the large GSM market ,close to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, office,

Kano State Council, are being occupied by, in some  cases,  over three persons.

It is not, however, clear as to what may have ignited the noon inferno.

As at the time of reporting, a combined team of Kano state Fire Service personnel ,and other security outfits, and public spirited individuals and bodies were still engaged in some clearance and rescue efforts.

The firefighters’ swift response prevented a further spread of the fire to many parts of the market.

According to Adamu Iliyasu the spokesperson for the host local council of Tarauni ,the Executive Chairman, Ahmed Sekure, was among early visitors to  the market immediately the incident began .

While expressing his sincere sympathies and solidarity with victims of the inferno, the Local Council Chairman, harped on the imperativeness of adopting proactive steps forestalling such incidents.

Chairman of the traders association of the market Abdulaziz Usman Mai Tabarma, while appreciating the timely response and concern of Sekure ,the Kano state fire Service and others assured that efforts will be made to determine the cause(s) of the fire with a view to preventing a repeat occurrence.