The Kano state Fire Service has contained the fire outbreak that engulfed the 600 years old Kurmi market in Kano state North-Western Nigeria.
The early morning fire on Wednesday, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, at Kurmi market located in the Kano municipal local government area of Kano State.
Reports indicate that the fire razed parts of the market where perfumes ginger and plastic bags were sold.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service Saminu Yusif Abdullahi explained that, the inferno destroyed 80 shops.
According to him, the agency received a distress call on Wednesday morning at about 05:23a.m, from one Aliyu Alkasim that there was a fire outbreak at Kurmi market.
He highlighted that a rescue team was immediately mobilised to the scene, where they succeeded in quenching the fire.
” 6 permanent and 74 temporary shops were completely razed by the fire”
Saminu maintained that no life was lost during the unfortunate incident.
He said, the cause of the fire is still under investigation and advised traders to switch off all electrical appliances, from the source when not in use, and avoid the use of naked wires.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Kurmi market, Alhaji Ya’u Idris Karas said, the fire started from a shop and spread to other parts of the market.
“security men at the market noticed smoke coming out of the shop before subhi prayers on Wednesday morning”
He commended the Kano state fire service, Nigerian police force and other relevant stakeholders, for their tireless efforts in putting out the fire and ensuring the security of lives and property at the market.
Alhaji Ya’u urged philanthropists, wealthy individuals, agencies and the good people of Kano state to assist those affected.
Kurmi market was built during the golden era of Kano, during the reign of Mohammed Rumfa, about 600 years ago, the market serves as the sanctuary for Kano cultural heritages, where hand-made products with traditional and historical attachments were sold.
Kurmi market in Kano city is one of the main destinations for traders in Sub-saharan Africa. In history, it hosted traders as far as Tripoli the capital of present-day Libya.
Dominica Nwabufo
