Fire engulfs timber, grains market in Sokoto

A massive fire broke out at the Sokoto Kara Market, known for housing grains, essential commodities, and timber products, in the early hours of Saturday.

The blaze, which began around 12:30 a.m., continued to rage at the time of this report.

Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the Sokoto State government has mobilized emergency services to minimize casualties and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas. The state fire service is actively battling the inferno.

This tragic incident highlights a recurring problem in Sokoto markets, which have experienced annual fire outbreaks with devastating effects since 2007.

The state’s central market, the largest in the northwest, remains under reconstruction following a previous fire disaster.

Past and current administrations, including those led by former Governors Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the current Governor Ahmed Aliyu, have all faced similar challenges during their tenures.

The latest fire underscores the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in Sokoto’s marketplaces.

Some of the Markets that suffers fire outbreaks in Sokoto metropolis in the past include Sokoto central Market, Sokoto Old Market, Sokoto Vegetables Market, Gawon Nama Market, Sokoto Kara Market, Motorcycles and Bicycles Market and Kofar Atiku Traditional Market.

All the aforementioned Markets have witnessed one or more fire outbreaks in the past with loss of goods worth several millions of naira.

The state governments in the past and present have been spending huge sums of resources in rebuilding markets as well as assisting victims of the fire incident.

Sokoto Central Market with over 5000 Shops and temporary shades is under construction as a result of fire that razed and ver two third of the entire shops in 2021.

Details will follow as they emerge from the scene of the incident.