A fire outbreak on Thursday night destroyed several shops and offices along Murtala Mohammed Way in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident, which reportedly started at a salvage yard popularly known as Takumbo Market, spread rapidly to nearby buildings, including a commercial complex close to a bank in the area.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.
According to the statement, emergency services received a distress call at about 10:54 p.m. and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
“Firefighters from the Service Headquarters and other metropolitan stations were swiftly mobilised to contain the inferno upon arrival,” the statement said.
It added that a one-storey building and adjoining commercial structures measuring about 300 by 200 feet were already engulfed in flames before firefighters gained control of the situation.
Preliminary findings by the fire service indicated that the blaze may have started from the salvage yard, where a large volume of goods was stored before it spread to surrounding properties.
The fire affected parts of the Kanawa Building, where two offices, two sitting rooms, two toilets, and a kitchen were destroyed on the upper floor.
Two shops on the ground floor of TUSRAYS Nigeria Limited were also damaged in the incident.
Officials attributed the cause of the fire to an electrical spark.
Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, urged residents and business owners to prioritise safety measures to prevent similar disasters.
“Members of the public should ensure proper maintenance of electrical installations and strictly adhere to safety standards to avoid fire outbreaks,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of early reporting in emergency situations.
“We appeal to residents to promptly alert the Fire Service whenever incidents occur. Quick response helps reduce losses and saves lives,” he added.
No casualties had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.
