A devastating wildfire has destroyed the Moore Pharmaceutical Store, a popular establishment in the Michelin area of Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Nigeria. The incident occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, and also affected several other shops housed in the same building along Hamaruwa Way.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started in the early hours of Thursday and spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure and reducing it to rubble. The cause of the inferno has not been determined as of the time of reporting. Despite efforts to respond to the emergency, the fire reportedly destroyed the building and its contents, leaving no opportunity to salvage drugs or other medical items from the pharmaceutical store.
A staff member of the affected store confirmed that nothing was recovered from the premises, noting that the entire structure was completely razed. The staff member added that not even a single item, including medical equipment, was recovered from the store. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded in the incident.
The affected shop owners have described the incident as devastating, with some appealing to the Taraba State Government and well-meaning individuals and organizations for urgent support to rebuild their businesses. Many of the shop owners had taken loans to stock their shops and are now facing severe hardship. Some have alleged that efforts to reach out to firefighters during the incident were unsuccessful, claiming that the fire service failed to respond promptly to distress calls.
The incident has been described as a major loss to the community, given the pharmacy’s role as a key source of essential medicines for people living in and around the area. The destruction of the store and other shops has significant implications for the local economy and access to healthcare services. The Taraba State Government and relevant authorities are expected to investigate the incident and provide support to the affected businesses and individuals.