Fire Razes Kano Singer Market,Billion Lost in Inferno

Fire Razes Kano Singer Market,Billion Lost in Inferno

A mysterious fire today burnt down the famous multi-billion naira Singer Market in Kano, destroying goods and cash running into over N3 billion.

Though security agents are yet to unravel the cause of the fire, unconfirmed reports are pointing fingers  at a tea-seller (Mai Shayi) and a pop-corn seller.

It was reported that the fire which started at about 4 a.m. raged for over eight hours, gutting over 2,000 shops, including 1200 make-shift shops.

An eyewitness account alleged that the fire was as a result of a pop-corn maker’s gas-cylinder which exploded, while another report has it that it was as a result of the carelessness of a tea-maker (Mai shayi), who left the remains of burning charcoal, beside a make-shift shop, close to the market.

“My shop is opposite this place. When I heard about the fire, I rushed to the market because my house is very close. I got here around 6 a.m. and one of the security guards told me the fire started around 4 a.m.

“Though I am not affected, I feel for the victims because most of them keep money in the market,” Alhaji Ado Ibrahim said.

It was learnt that the affected section of the market is the hub of assorted goods such as water-proof bags, sacks, rice, flower pomade, soft drinks and other consumables.

The Singer market is located adjacent the Murtala Muhuammad Way, opposite the famous Abubakar Rimi Market.

Security agents like the police, Civil Defence, Hisbah and other allied security agencies immediately cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the incident.