A massive fire outbreak swept through the busy Singa Market in Kano State on Saturday evening, destroying goods and properties estimated to be worth billions of naira — and leaving traders counting heavy losses just days before the start of Ramadan.

The inferno broke out in the Gidan Glass (Gidan Gilas) section of the sprawling market, an area dominated by provision stores and small businesses. Eyewitnesses said the blaze started at a large provision store before quickly spreading to surrounding stalls, driving panic among traders and residents who struggled to salvage whatever they could.

Extensive Damage and Missing Persons

Officials of the Singa Market Development Association confirmed that over 1,000 shops were affected by the blaze, a figure that has underscored the scale of economic loss for traders whose livelihoods depend on market activities.

According to the market chairman, Alhaji Junaid Zakari, the fire also destroyed four residential buildings that housed small-scale businesses, leaving goods, equipment, and valuables completely burnt. The total value of lost properties is estimated at over ₦5 billion.

He added that seven people were reported missing as of Sunday while rescue and investigation efforts continued, with emergency responders and security agencies working to determine their whereabouts.

Traders Speak on Losses

Some affected traders shared heartbreaking accounts of the devastation:

• Isa Abubakar said he lost goods worth more than ₦200 million. “From God we come, to Him we shall return. It is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions destroyed by fire,” he said.
• Another trader, Musa Ibrahim, said his stock valued at over ₦340 million was also lost in the blaze.

Emergency Response and Challenges

Firefighters from the Kano State Fire Service were deployed to contain the flames, but officials reported that limited access roads within the market and heavy movement of people and vehicles hindered their efforts, slowing response times and complicating containment operations.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Federal Fire Service, the Nigerian Air Force, private fire units, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, also took part in the multi-agency effort to extinguish the blaze and prevent further spread.

Government Reaction and Support

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the scene as the fire raged, demonstrating solidarity with affected traders. His prompt response has drawn both appreciation and urgent calls for improved fire-safety infrastructure.

This latest inferno comes weeks after another fire struck the same market earlier in February, further compounding losses for business owners already struggling to recover. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which as of Sunday had not been officially established.