A fire outbreak at the Singa Market in Kano destroyed properties worth over N5 billion, affecting over 1,000 businesses and leaving seven persons missing.

The market’s chairman, Junaid Zakari, disclosed this to journalists in Kano on Sunday.

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

Goods, equipment, and valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families.

The chairman revealed that seven people were declared missing at the time of this report.

Mr Zakari added that investigations were ongoing to determine their whereabouts to confirm whether they were alive or dead.

He said emergency responders and security agencies were working to unravel the cause of the fire.

Mr Zakari described the incident as a tragedy that would never be forgotten in the history of the market, stressing the urgent need for support to help the affected traders rebuild their businesses.

He, however, commended Governor Abba Yusuf for visiting the scene while the fire was still raging, stating that the governor’s swift response demonstrated concern and solidarity with the victims.

Authorities are yet to officially determine the cause of the inferno, as the affected traders continued to salvage what remained of their properties.

Isa Abubakar, a shop owner, said he lost goods worth over N200 million, adding, “from God we come, to Him we shall return.

“I am here, and it is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions of naira destroyed by fire.”

Mr Abubakar commended Mr Yusuf for visiting the scene, demonstrating concern and solidarity with the victims.

Musa Ibrahim, a market trader, recounted his experience, saying he lost goods worth over N340 million in the fire.

“The fire consumed everything we had,” he said, pointing to the remains of his shop.

(NAN)