A fierce inferno ripped through parts of Singa Market, one of the busiest commercial hubs in Kano metropolis, in the early hours of Monday, leaving traders and residents in shock as firefighting crews battled to contain the blaze for several hours.
According to eyewitness accounts and official confirmation, the fire broke out shortly after 3:16 a.m., prompting an urgent response from the Kano State Fire Service. The service’s spokesperson, Saminu Yusif, told journalists that firefighters were quickly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call, with multiple units deployed to tackle the blaze.
“As of about 10 a.m., pockets of the market were still burning, with firefighters working to bring the situation under control and prevent the fire from spreading further,” Yusif said.
Despite their efforts, flames continued to engulf several sections of the sprawling market complex well into the morning, with smoke billowing above the busy trade centre that is known for its wide variety of goods and daily economic activity.
Traders whose shops are clustered within the affected areas described scenes of chaos as they were roused from sleep by the crackling blaze and rushed to salvage what they could. One dealer, who asked not to be named, said many traders were caught off guard.
“I came running when I saw the fire on the horizon. By the time I got closer, I could only see the smoke and hear people shouting. Some of us tried to remove goods, but the heat was too intense,” the trader said.
At press time, there was no immediate confirmation on the number of stalls or goods lost to the fire, and no casualty figures were available. Yusif assured reporters that more comprehensive details about the extent of the damage and possible causes of the outbreak would be released later as investigations continue.
The incident has stirred fresh anxiety among Kano’s market communities, who have in recent years witnessed multiple fire outbreaks in commercial zones across the city. Although no fatalities have yet been reported in this latest blaze, the emotional and financial toll on affected traders is expected to be significant.
As firefighters continue to mop up hotspots, calls are already growing from market associations for improved fire safety infrastructure and emergency readiness within trade centres to prevent future catastrophes.
