The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, stating that the inferno destroyed 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures across several sections of the market as reported by Daily Post.
The Service’s Public Relations Officer, PFS Kabiru Isah Jafaru, disclosed that the incident occurred at approximately 7:39 am on Saturday.
According to Jafaru, the Fire Service received a distress call from a timber dealer identified as Alhaji Abba, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters from various stations within the Kano metropolis.
He explained that upon arriving at the scene, the firefighters discovered that the flames had already spread to several sections of the market.
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“Several sections of Kofar Ruwa Timber Market were affected by the fire, destroying 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures,” he stated.
Jafaru said the firefighters eventually succeeded in bringing the inferno under control, preventing it from spreading to other sections of the market and potentially causing further destruction.
He, however, urged traders and business owners to remain vigilant and adopt appropriate fire-prevention measures to minimise the risk of similar incidents.
The Fire Service spokesperson particularly emphasised the need for heightened caution during the harmattan season, when dry and windy conditions can increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the financial losses incurred by affected traders were not immediately disclosed.