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Awka Anambra State
Kano State woke up to tragedy in the early hours of Thursday as a devastating fire engulfed the famous Singer Market, razing dozens of shops and destroying goods worth millions of naira. The incident, which occurred before dawn, sent shockwaves through the commercial city, leaving traders in tears and uncertainty over their future.
The inferno, which reportedly started around 2:00 a.m., quickly spread through several sections of the market, consuming shops stocked with electronics, textiles, and food items. According to eyewitnesses, the fire began in one part of the market but rapidly escalated due to the close arrangement of the stalls and the flammable nature of the goods.
Despite prompt response from the Kano State Fire Service, the flames raged for several hours before they could be contained, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Loss
One of the traders, Mallam Yusuf Bello, who deals in household electronics, said he received a call from a fellow trader around 3:00 a.m. notifying him that his shop was on fire. By the time he arrived, the flames had already consumed most of the area.
“I rushed down immediately, but it was too late. Everything was gone. I lost over ₦15 million worth of goods,” Bello lamented. “It’s heartbreaking because I just restocked my shop for the festive season. All my life savings are gone.”
Another trader, Mrs. Rukayat Sule, who sells fabrics, said she narrowly escaped financial ruin because she took some of her goods home earlier in the week. Still, she expressed grief for her fellow traders who lost everything.
“This is painful. Many people have been put out of business overnight. We appeal to the government to come to our aid,” she said.
Fire Service Confirms Incident
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusuf, said the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but investigations have already commenced.
According to him, firefighters from multiple stations were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 2:15 a.m. He noted that the fire affected several shops but was eventually brought under control after hours of intense firefighting.
“Our men responded swiftly after receiving the call, and we were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings,” Yusuf said. “The extent of damage is enormous, but we are grateful that no lives were lost. We have launched an investigation to determine the actual cause of the fire.”
Authorities Promise Investigation and Relief
Reacting to the tragedy, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Usman Fari, visited the market to assess the level of damage. He expressed sympathy with the affected traders and assured them that the government would take necessary steps to support victims.
“The government of Kano State under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is deeply concerned about this unfortunate incident. We will work with the market leaders and relevant agencies to determine the cause and find ways to assist the victims,” Fari said.
The commissioner added that the state government would strengthen fire prevention measures across markets to avoid future occurrences.
“We will ensure that all markets in the state have proper fire safety systems and that traders are educated on how to prevent such disasters,” he emphasized.
Market Leaders Call for Government Support
The Chairman of Singer Market Traders Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, described the incident as the worst fire disaster in recent years. He called on both state and federal governments to provide urgent assistance to the affected traders.
“Many of our members have lost everything they worked for. Some took loans to restock, and now their entire investment has been reduced to ashes,” Idris lamented. “We are appealing to the authorities and good-spirited Nigerians to come to our rescue.”
He also urged the government to install fire hydrants, access roads, and emergency exits in major markets across Kano to improve response times during emergencies.
Recurring Market Fires in Kano
The fire at Singer Market is the latest in a series of market infernos that have ravaged Kano’s commercial centers in recent years. In March 2024, a similar fire destroyed sections of the Kurmi Market, while in 2023, dozens of shops were razed at Sabon Gari Market.
Experts say poor electrical wiring, overcrowded stalls, and lack of proper safety infrastructure are common causes of these recurrent market fires.
A safety consultant, Engineer Musa Ibrahim, noted that most markets in the state are not designed with fire prevention in mind.
“Many traders overload power sockets, use substandard electrical cables, and keep flammable materials close to heat sources. These are recipes for disaster,” Ibrahim explained. “Until the government enforces strict fire safety codes and traders take personal responsibility, these incidents will continue.”
Federal Government Expected to Intervene
The Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is also expected to visit the scene and assess the level of damage. Sources within the agency said they are awaiting official reports from the state before dispatching a relief team.
Economic analysts warn that the incident could have ripple effects on local commerce and employment, as hundreds of traders rely on daily sales for survival.
Emotional Toll and the Road Ahead
Beyond the economic loss, the emotional toll on the victims is profound. Many traders were seen weeping uncontrollably as they sifted through the debris of their burnt shops. For them, the Singer Market fire is more than just a financial setback — it’s the destruction of years of hard work, dreams, and stability.
Despite the pain, there is growing optimism among the traders that the market will recover with government support and community solidarity. Some volunteers and non-governmental organizations have already begun mobilizing relief materials for affected victims.
As the ashes settle, one thing remains clear — the need for better safety infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and proactive government intervention to prevent future disasters. The Singer Market tragedy serves as yet another reminder that Nigeria’s bustling commercial centers must prioritize safety as much as trade.
