Why Kano Singer Market keeps burning

Barely two weeks after a fire outbreak razed dozens of shops at Kano’s popular Singer Market, another inferno has reduced over 1,000 shops and several residential buildings to ashes, with losses estimated at more than N5 billion and seven persons declared missing.

The latest inferno, which raged from Saturday afternoon through Sunday, has thrown up questions over the recurring fires at the market, as traders and experts believe the situation has exposed deep-rooted structural, safety and regulatory failures that continue to turn the market into a disaster-prone zone.

On February 2, more than 70 shops were reportedly burnt in a similar fire incident at the market located at Gidan Mazaf along Bello Road.

Singer Market, the largest commodity hub in northern Nigeria, supplies goods to states across the region as well as neighbouring West and Central African countries.

Eyewitnesses who spoke yesterday about the latest fire outbreak at Singer Market, said despite the intervention of the Kano State Fire Service, private water tankers and support from companies like Aspira Nigeria Limited, Umza and Gongoni, the fire raged for hours.

Some traders, who spoke to Daily Trust, identified congestion as one of the most critical factors behind the repeated infernos at the Singer Market.

They said the market is densely packed with shops, kiosks and residential buildings, many of which were converted into storage facilities for highly flammable goods.

They also stated that narrow pathways and poorly planned layouts make evacuation difficult and delay emergency response.

According to them, fire fighting trucks often struggle to access affected areas, forcing emergency crews to improvise by drawing water from distant points, including flyovers.

Market leaders admitted that past efforts to relocate large stores to alternative markets were resisted by traders, a decision that has worsened congestion and increased fire risk.

Efforts to hear from the state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Investment and Industry, Shehu Wada Sagagi, about the planned relocation of the market proved abortive yesterday as calls out across to him where neither answered nor returned.

The state had previously hinted at relocating some markets to Kano Economic City, Dangwauro, the new commercial hub reserved along Kano-Zaria Road.

Although no specific time was mentioned for the final relocation of Singer Market, the state government had mentioned Yanlemo fruits market and Yankaba vegetables market as next in its Dangwauro relocation agenda.

A recent visit by one of our reporters to the site saw a good number of pharmaceutical traders already relocated to the place; while many blocks, meant for other markets, were still being developed.

Nasir Maharazu, a trader at Singer Marker, said, “As I speak to you now, I can see the fire burning. The whole three-storey building is under fire. This fire is even worse than the one recorded less than two weeks ago in the market.”

A witness said: “The fire started from a shop selling provisions. Within minutes, it spread to other shops. We tried to remove some items, but the heat and smoke were too much.”

A shop owner at the market, Alhaji Usman Sani Dakata, said, “During peak trading hours, especially after closing time, the volume of human traffic alone is enough to tell you the kind of danger we face in the event of a fire disaster. There is urgent need for government to decongest the market by ensuring that all major stores are moved out,” he warned.

He described traders’ resistance to attempts by the state government to relocate large storage facilities at the market to the Dangwauro International Market as costly.

While investigations continue, many traders suspect faulty solar installations may have triggered the outbreak.

Traders and experts also view the growing use of solar power in the market as a risk factor. They cited poorly installed lithium solar batteries and substandard wiring as potential ignition sources.

Many shop owners reportedly leave solar systems running overnight without proper shutdown procedures.

Nasir Ibrahim, another trader, told Daily Trust that the fire may have been caused by an explosion from a lithium solar battery.

“We are suspecting that it could be an explosion from a solar battery in one of the shops that later affected virtually all the shops in Gidan Glass,” he said.

Similarly, Malam Buhari Saminu Danhajiya, a trader, blamed unsafe solar practices.

“After market hours, some traders do not properly switch off their systems. A minor technical fault can easily ignite a fire. There should be urgent enforcement of electrical standards for all solar systems, including mandatory training and certification of installers,” he urged.

‘7 missing, N5bn property destroyed’

The market’s chairman, Alhaji Junaid Zakari, yesterday said the inferno destroyed property worth over N5 billion, affecting over 1,000 businesses and leaving seven persons missing.

Zakari described the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history, with four residential buildings housing small-scale businesses razed.

According to him, goods, equipment and valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families.

Zakari also disclosed that seven persons were declared missing as of the time of filing the report.

He said that investigations were ongoing to determine their whereabouts.

He said the incident was a tragedy that would never be forgotten in the history of the market, stressing the urgent need for support to enable the affected traders to rebuild their businesses.

Alhaji Isa Abubakar, a trader, said he lost goods worth over N200 million; while Musa Ibrahim estimated his losses at N340 million.

“The fire consumed everything we had,” Ibrahim lamented, pointing at the charred remains of his shop.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, said most of the narratives about the possible cause of the fire were speculations as the agency was still trying to find the real causes.

He admitted that the level of destruction was high, with some buildings completely burnt to ashes.

“While the fire has been brought under control, we are still working to extinguish it completely. Some parts of the buildings are not yet accessible,” he said.

Why markets often witness fire incidents – Expert

Dr Sulaiman Yunus, a disaster management specialist at Bayero University, Kano, explained that anthropogenic factors—particularly negligence, often cause market fires.

He attributed most of the market fire incidents to faulty electrical wirings and poorly installed solar installations.

He stressed the need for proactive safety measures, including proper wiring, extinguishers and modern firefighting strategies.

“We are still using obsolete methodology of waiting until an outbreak occurs, and then we start rushing to respond. We need to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.

Dr Yunus, who is also a senior lecturer at the BUK’s Geography Department, said his doctoral degree’s dissertation was on same issue which, he said, he had presented to the state government.

Gov Yusuf seeks FG support

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the scene yesterday, urging calm and cooperation among traders.

In a statement, he called on the federal government to urgently provide modern firefighting equipment, including air support, to strengthen Kano’s emergency response capacity.

“This intervention would help prevent future occurrences and enhance our ability to respond effectively to large-scale emergencies,” the governor said.

He commended the Kano State Fire Service and other security agencies for their commitment.

Tinubu orders probe; Shettima leads FG delegation to Kano

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday commiserated with traders and the people of Kano State over the fire outbreak at Kano’s Singer Market, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the inferno.

His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, said Tinubu, who had earlier reached out to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to obtain a situation report on the fire, described the incident as tragic.

Onanuga said the president was particularly alarmed that the latest incident came less than two weeks after another fire destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market.

In another statement, Onanuga said Tinubu had asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered federal government delegation to Kano to express sympathy and support for victims of the fire disaster.

Onanuga said the delegation, scheduled to depart Abuja today, would convey Tinubu’s condolences to the affected traders,

He said the delegation would also pledge, on behalf of the government, financial assistance to aid the victims and support Kano State in facilitating the quick reopening of the market.

Members of the delegation include the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman, House of Representatives Appropriation Committee; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro and Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Barau donates N100m to victims

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, on Sunday visited Singer Market and donated N100 million to affected traders to cushion the impact of the inferno.

Barau, who was received by the chairman of the market, Alhaji Junaidu Zakari, alongside hundreds of traders, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragedy not only for the victims but for the entire state and the country.

“This fire outbreak and the enormous losses recorded have affected all of us. In fact, it affects the entire Kano people and the country at large. Commerce is the mainstay of Kano, so we are deeply touched by this incident,” he said.

The senator pledged to facilitate the provision of a modern fire control facility in the market

Zakari thanked Barau for the visit and the financial support, saying “We are proud to have you in Kano. We appreciate all the support you have been giving us. You have done a lot for us. Thank you very much.”

Governors, ACF commiserate with victims

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) yesterday expressed deep sympathy with traders, shop owners and all victims affected by the devastating Singa Market fire incident in Kano State, describing the tragedy as painful and distressing.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Forum, the Chairman of the NSGF and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the inferno was particularly heart-breaking, coming barely weeks after a similar outbreak in the same market, thereby compounding the losses and emotional trauma suffered by already vulnerable traders.

Governor Yahaya lamented the recurring spate of market fires across the North, noting that such incidents have continued to erode livelihoods, disrupt economic activities and push many families into hardship.

He stressed that the persistent nature of these disasters demands urgent, comprehensive, and technology-driven preventive measures by both state and federal authorities.

The governor suggested the deployment of modern fire detection and suppression systems, improved market planning and infrastructure, stricter enforcement of safety regulations and sustained public enlightenment, particularly among traders and market operators.

He commended the swift and courageous response of the Kano State Fire Service, security agencies, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other emergency responders and good Samaritans whose timely intervention helped contain the blaze and prevent further destruction.

Yahaya extended the Forum’s heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Kano State, as well as to all individuals and business owners who suffered losses in the inferno.

He prayed Almighty Allah to grant strength and restoration for the victims, urging them not to lose hope in the face of the devastating setback.

Similarly, the chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday commiserated with the government and people of Kano State over the fire outbreak at Singa Market.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Abiodun described the incident as one of the most unfortunate tragedies in the history of the market.

He sympathised with traders who lost valuable goods and properties, urging them not to lose hope, assuring that the Kano State Government would take necessary steps to support affected victims.

According to him, the destruction of four residential buildings housing small-scale businesses, alongside the loss of equipment, merchandise, and other valuables, was a heavy blow to the livelihoods of many families.

He called on market authorities and relevant local government officials to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

In the same vein, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, conveyed its  deep sympathy to the Kano State Government and traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at Singer Market, saying the incident was distressing.

Its chairman of the Forum, Dr Goni Faruk Umar, said the Forum was shocked by the incident.

The ACF, in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim, conveyed its heartfelt sympathies to the traders who lost valuable goods and assets in the latest and the previous inferno, which occurred on February 2.

It commended the swift response of the Kano State Fire Service, the NEMA and other first responders for their efforts in containing the fire and preventing further damage.

The ACF called on both the Kano State and Federal Governments to develop and implement strategic interventions aimed at preventing future occurrences of such devastating incidents.

It reaffirmed its solidarity with the affected traders and urged authorities to consider measures that would enhance safety standards and emergency preparedness in major markets across the state.

From Sani Ibrahim Paki, Salim Umar Ibrahim, Abbas Tijjani Madabo, Ahmad Datti (Kano), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Peter Moses (Lagos) & Baba Martins (Abuja)

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