Fire has razed a major market in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, Nigeria’s northeast region.
The fire, which started between 3:00AM to 4:00AM, was suspected to be from an electrical fault.
Efforts by the State Fire Service and that of the AUN Fire Department could not save the situation as about 95% of the market had been razed down.
The incident is sure to affect food supply in the state capital because it is a major market for grains such as rice, maize, beans, guinea corn and other food items.
An eyewitness, Usman Ajuji, told Channels Television, “A lot of our goods were burnt and we have lost a lot.
“I have never seen this type of fire before in my life. Already we have lost out and our prayer is that God will help us all. The loss cannot be quantified. I appeal to the government to come and assist.”
Another eyewitness, who sells food in the market, said she alongside her brother lost everything in the inferno and also called on the government to assist them in picking up the pieces of what is left of their lives.
The Chief Security, Yola Town Market, Alhaji Gidado, said “Very early this morning at about 3:00AM, I was called by my officer on phone that there was a fire in the market. I quickly contacted the Fire Department and the Yola Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
“By the time we arrived, the fire had already taken over the market. When the fire service arrived, a lot of damage had been done.”
No life was lost in the fire outbreak.
The Yola market fire came barely 24 hours after a fire outbreak burnt property worth millions of Naira in the Abdulkadir Kure Market, Minna, the Niger State capital.
The incident occurred at around 1:00AM on Sunday morning and was blamed on the use of generators because as at the time of the incident, there was no electricity supply.
