A late-night fire incident has destroyed goods worth millions of naira at the popular and largest Kantin Kwari text market in Kano city centre.

The fire incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday and left several traders counting losses amid harsh economic reality.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that the fire incident was suspected to have been triggered by an electric spark.

A shop owner, Muhammed Inuwa, a shop owner in the market to our reported that the outbreak started at about 8:00 pm on Saturday, and destroyed several shops and stores loaded with bails of textiles.

Another trader, Yahaya Hotoro who was not very clear when the inferior began revealed that almost 50 shops and stores were destroyed before the fire service arrived at the scene of the incident.

He said those who lost valuables would no less count billions of naira lost to the fire.

Speaking with journalists on the unfortunate incident, Chairman of the market association, Balarabe Tatari said the fire incident was a colossal loss to those affected.

Tatari however applauded the timely response of Kano State Fire Service, and private companies, along with support from Sabon Gari, Dawanau, and Singa Markets, to contain the fire.

He also highlighted the presence of personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities who ensured security at the scene.

“The prompt intervention of the Kano State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, and reinforcements from private companies, Sabon Gari, Dawanau, and Singa Markets put out the fire,” Tatari stated.

Tatari said the market’s congestion and inadequate access roads, were among factors that contributed to the spread of the fire.

He urged the state government to intensify efforts to clear obstructions that hinder movement and block drainage in the market.

The spokesperson of Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, was not readily available to respond to inquiries on the cause of the inferno.