A fire outbreak has destroyed parts of Fika Main Market in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, causing heavy losses for traders.
The fire started in the early hours of Monday and razed several shops and stalls, disrupting business activities in the area.
Many traders were left devastated as goods worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje, confirmed the incident on Monday evening.
He said emergency response teams were quickly sent to the market to control the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
“We received a distress call about the fire at Fika Main Market. Our team, working with the Fire Service, moved to the scene to put out the fire and reduce the damage,” Goje said.
He described the incident as heartbreaking, especially as the agency had recently concluded plans to assist victims of previous fire outbreaks in Bukarti and three other communities in the state.
Goje said the level of destruction was serious and had greatly affected businesses and livelihoods in the area. He assured the affected traders that the government would support them within available resources.
He also expressed concern over the recent increase in fire incidents across the state, describing the situation as alarming. He called on residents to take fire safety measures seriously, especially in markets, homes and public places.
Goje urged communities to stay alert, prioritise safety and report emergencies quickly.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
