By Ibrahim Muhammad
No fewer than seven traders have been declared missing following a devastating fire outbreak at Singer Market in Kano.
The Chairman of Singer Market Development Association (SIMDA), Barrister Junaidu M. Zakari, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the scale of destruction caused by the inferno.
Zakari said the seven individuals were yet to be accounted for as investigations continue to determine their whereabouts and ascertain whether they are alive or dead.
He revealed that goods and properties worth over N5 billion were destroyed in the blaze, describing the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the history of the market.
According to him, the fire razed four residential buildings that accommodated thousands of small-scale businesses, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Goods, equipment and other valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families who depend on the market for survival.
Emergency responders and security agencies, he said, are working to uncover the cause of the fire.
Zakari stressed the urgent need for government and public support to enable affected traders rebuild their businesses. He, however, commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for visiting the scene while the fire was still raging, noting that the governor’s swift response demonstrated solidarity with the victims.
Authorities have yet to officially determine the cause of the inferno as affected traders continue efforts to salvage what remains of their goods.
Meanwhile, a market official, Ibrahim, disclosed that over 100 shops and more than 50 warehouses stocked with multi-million naira goods were destroyed.
“The fire was burning throughout the night up till this moment we are speaking,” he said
He added that the first shop where the fire reportedly started contained goods worth over N500 million, mainly essential commodities.
“We cannot accurately estimate the total loss for now. Many people suspect that a solar panel might have triggered the fire,” Ibrahim stated.
At the scene, distraught shop owners were seen scrambling to salvage whatever they could as flames reduced their goods to ashes, compounding the devastating impact of the disaster.
