A fire engulfed the Singer Market in Kano on Saturday evening, destroying multiple shops and marking the second blaze to hit the busy commercial hub in less than two weeks. The incident has drawn public concern and renewed focus on market safety standards in the state.
The fire started in a large provision store within the Gidan Glass section of the market, located along Ado Bayero Road by Murtala Muhammad Way. Thick smoke billowed across the city as the flames spread rapidly, requiring emergency response efforts. Reports indicate the blaze began in the afternoon and raged for hours, causing significant material losses to traders.
Singer Market is one of the largest and most vital commodity trading centers in Northern Nigeria, serving as a critical economic node for the region. Saturday’s event follows an earlier fire at the same market earlier in the month, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities in fire prevention and control within high-density trading areas.
Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, publicly expressed deep concern over the incident. In a statement posted to his social media account, Ahmad described being “truly devastated” by the fire, which he characterized as massive and fast-spreading based on eyewitness accounts. He offered condolences to affected traders and families.
Ahmad highlighted the recurrence of such disasters as a clear signal for authorities to implement a comprehensive overhaul of safety protocols across markets in Kano. His call emphasizes the urgent need for improved infrastructure, regular safety inspections, and emergency preparedness to prevent future losses.
The fire at Singer Market reinforces broader challenges regarding public safety in Nigeria’s bustling markets, where overcrowding, electrical faults, and limited firefighting resources often contribute to recurring incidents. For now, traders face the task of recovery while calls for systemic intervention grow louder from both public figures and the business community.
