A devastating fire broke out on Monday, April 27, at the Maganda Road wood market in Kano State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and at least eight vehicles. The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident, stating that it received a distress call at approximately 6:05 a.m. and promptly dispatched firefighters to the scene.
According to Saminu Yusif, spokesperson for the fire service, the blaze started in the wood section of the market and quickly spread to a nearby mechanic workshop and adjoining shops before it was brought under control. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire began around 3:00 a.m., hours before traders arrived, allowing it to engulf large sections of the market.
“We later started trying to put it off before the fire service personnel came. Nobody could tell the exact cause because we were all at home when it started,” said trader Nura Umar. The fire reportedly affected more than 50 business premises within the market, which hosts thousands of traders.
Another victim, Engineer Abdulwahab Ilori, said he lost heavy machinery, including welding and drilling equipment, describing his losses as running into millions of naira. “If I am to re-establish what I lost, it will cost millions,” he said, adding that several auto spare parts shops and vehicles brought in for repairs were also destroyed. Ilori further disclosed that a newly delivered vehicle valued at about ₦14 million was among the items lost to the fire.
The Kano State Fire Service stated that it is still assessing the extent of damage and investigating the cause of the fire, noting that no lives were lost in the incident.
