Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has donated N20 million to 200 traders who lost their belongings in a fire outbreak at Bayan Tasha Market, Damaturu.

Mr Buni made the donation in Damaturu on Tuesday when he visited the scene of the incident.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana, said the assistance was aimed to cushion the losses recorded by the traders.

He directed the state Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Commerce to investigate the incident with a view to recommending how best to support the traders.

The Executive Director, Yobe State Fire Service Board, Jauro Umaru, had earlier said that 38 permanent shops and eight emporary shops were destroyed by the fire.

He said the incident, which occurred at 3 am on Tuesday, destroyed many items including books, food items and fabrics.

Mr Umaru, however, said 20 other shops were successfully protected by men of the board from the fire caused by suspected electrical fault.

The director blamed the extent of the damage on delay in reporting the incident to the board.

He said, “Upon receiving the emergency call, the Zonal Fire Station team closest to the scene was immediately mobilized. Recognizing the scale of the fire, they promptly called for reinforcements from the Federal Fire Service, the Headquarters Fire Station, the Government House Unit, and the Yobe State Teaching Hospital Unit of the Fire Service. Despite their swift mobilization, the late reporting of the fire allowed it to spread extensively before the arrival of emergency responders.’’

Mr Umaru also said the congested layout of the market and the presence of highly flammable materials fuelled the fire and undermined efforts to contain it.

“This unfortunate incident underscores the critical need for proactive fire safety measures and improved emergency preparedness across markets,” he said.

Mr Umaru assured that the service remained committed to safeguarding lives and property, and would continue to enhance its operations for effective emergency response.

(NAN)