A devastating fire outbreak has razed tailoring shops at the new modern market in Lafia, Nasarawa State, destroying goods valued at millions of naira. The fire, which began around 9:30 pm on Thursday, raged until the early hours of Friday before being extinguished.
Efforts to combat the blaze were hindered by the challenging conditions around the market, including heaps of refuse that escalated the fire’s spread and intensity. Firefighters from the Nasarawa State Fire Service faced significant obstacles, including the overwhelming heat and difficulty accessing water.
One of the affected shop owners, Muse Abdullahi, recounted the ordeal, expressing his devastation. “The fire started suddenly, and no one could identify its exact cause. More than 30 shops were destroyed. The wooden structures of the shops contributed to the rapid spread of the flames,” he lamented.
Abdullahi also criticized the delayed response of the fire service. “They arrived over an hour after the fire began. Even when they brought water, it was too late, and the fire continued until the following morning before it was finally put out.”
An eyewitness corroborated Abdullahi’s account, noting that the heaps of refuse in the market worsened the situation. “The fire spread to the dumping site, and from there, it engulfed nearby tailor and shoe shops. The heat and chaos made it difficult to control the flames.”
The eyewitness also urged the government to provide an alternative location for refuse disposal in the market to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Ombogus-Joshua, confirmed the incident and revealed that his team received a distress call at about 9:30 pm on Thursday. Despite deploying personnel immediately, they faced significant challenges due to the market’s conditions.
He appealed to the public to take precautions, particularly during the Harmattan season, by properly managing electrical appliances and avoiding the indiscriminate dumping of refuse near shops.
The tragedy has left traders reeling from the loss of their livelihoods and has sparked renewed calls for improved fire safety measures and waste management in markets across the state.
