Fire Destroys 110 Structures at Kano Market as Man Rescued From Water Channel

A fire outbreak at Kofar Ruwa Timber Market in Kano has destroyed or affected 110 structures, while the state fire service also rescued a 42-year-old man from an open water channel.

The affected structures at the timber market comprised 75 permanent buildings and 35 temporary structures.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, PFS Kabiru Isah Jafaru, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Kano.

Jafaru said the fire started at about 7:39am after a timber dealer, Alhaji Abba, alerted the service.

He said firefighters from different stations across the Kano metropolis quickly moved to the market after receiving the distress call.

According to him, the fire had spread across several sections of the market when the teams arrived.

The firefighters, however, brought the blaze under control and stopped it from spreading to other parts of the market.

The service urged traders and business owners to strengthen their fire prevention measures, particularly during the harmattan season.

It noted that dry and dusty conditions during the period could increase the risk of fire outbreaks.

In a separate incident, the fire service rescued Sani Uba Kwaru, 42, after he fell into an open water channel at Dan Agundi, Kano.

Jafaru said the service received a distress call from Hamisu Muhammad at about 1pm, reporting that a man had fallen into the channel.

A rescue team immediately moved to the area and began a search operation.

The team eventually found Kwaru and pulled him out of the water. He was unconscious when rescuers recovered him.

The Fire Service urged residents to exercise caution around open water channels and other dangerous areas.

It said greater awareness and caution could help prevent avoidable accidents and protect lives and property.