By Our Reporter
A devastating fire has destroyed 110 shops at the popular Kofar Ruwa Timber Market in Kano metropolis, leaving traders counting losses estimated at millions of naira.
The inferno, which broke out at about 7:39 a.m. over the weekend, razed 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures, destroying goods and property belonging to several traders.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Kabiru Isah Jafaru.
Jafaru said the Service received a distress call from a timber dealer, Alhaji Abba, following which firefighters from different stations across the metropolis were immediately deployed to the scene.
According to him, the firefighters discovered on arrival that the fire had spread across several sections of the market, affecting a total of 110 structures.
He said the fire was eventually brought under control, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the market.
No casualty was recorded in the incident, while the cause of the fire and the actual value of the property destroyed were yet to be determined.
The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, urged traders and business owners to strengthen fire-prevention measures and remain vigilant, particularly as the harmattan season approaches.
He warned that the dry conditions associated with the season could increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
The Kofar Ruwa incident is the latest in a series of market fires recorded in Kano State this year, renewing concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in commercial centres across the state.