A massive fire broke out at the Central Market in Gusau, Zamfara State, destroying at least 103 shops. The blaze, which started in the perishable goods section, left traders counting heavy losses.
Although officials have not confirmed the exact cause of the fire, one firefighter suggested it may have been triggered by an electrical surge. He explained that the fire started shortly after power was restored to the market.
Eyewitnesses said the fire erupted around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday and raged for several hours before being brought under control at approximately 2 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters from both the federal and Zamfara State fire services battled the flames, but not before significant damage was done.
The chairman of the Perishable Items Sellers Association, Alhaji Inusa Saminu, described the incident as devastating.
“We have counted 103 shops which were completely destroyed by the fire. We cannot estimate our losses for now, but they run into millions of naira. There were stores containing dried items which were reduced to ashes,” he said.
Saminu also noted that the fire service’s delayed response worsened the situation.
“We have a fire service station not far from the market, but when they were called, they told us the only vehicle in the station had been grounded for months,” he said.
He further criticized the lack of proper equipment, stating that even the headquarters of the state fire service struggled to respond due to vehicle issues.
“Even their headquarters complained of lack of battery in their vehicle when they were called upon. They had to borrow a battery and they did only one trip because the vehicle spoiled along the way. We are appealing to the state government to provide our firefighting stations with functional vehicles and equipment because this is the sixth market inferno recorded in the state, and they were all devastating,” he added.
Another trader, Malam Tanimu, confirmed the extent of the destruction, saying that goods worth millions of naira were lost.
“I know four stores stocked with bags of rice and perishable items which were completely razed. I wonder how we are going to recoup our losses. I am sure many of us would not come back again,” he said.
A firefighter who spoke on the condition of anonymity admitted that the lack of equipment prevented them from responding quickly.
“We have a station at the market, but its vehicle is grounded and our leaders are aware, but nothing was done about it. It was the fire station at Gada Biyu and the federal fire service that came to our rescue,” he said.
