A devastating fire broke out on Saturday night at the renowned Kantin-Kwari textile market in Kano, causing significant losses as goods and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The fire, which started in the late evening, ravaged several shops in one of Nigeria’s largest and most bustling textile markets.
Eyewitnesses reported that shop owners at the market made frantic efforts to control the fire and save their merchandise, but their attempts were largely unsuccessful.
By the time the fire was brought under control, numerous shops had already been engulfed in flames, leaving many traders with nothing but charred remains of their goods.
One of the traders, Alhaji Hamisu Sabo, recounted his experience in an interview with Press.
He explained how he was alerted to the fire: “Somebody called me around 7:30 pm on Saturday, informing me that the market was on fire. When I arrived, only two shops had been burnt at that point, and we initially believed we had the situation under control. However, despite our efforts, the fire continued to spread, and the destruction became inevitable.”
Although the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, authorities are investigating the incident. As of the time of reporting, no official statements have been made regarding the fire or its potential cause.
The Kantin-Kwari market is a key hub for textile trade in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Its reputation as a major business center makes the incident particularly significant, as it affects both local traders and the broader economy of the region.
Many shop owners are now left counting their losses, hoping for government intervention or support to rebuild their businesses.
Further updates are expected once authorities conclude their investigation into the cause of the fire and release an official statement.
