Inferno Rages Through Nasarawa Market, Destroys 30 Shops and Goods Worth Millions
A massive fire swept through the Lafia Modern Market in Nasarawa State, razing more than 30 shops and destroying goods valued at millions of naira. The tragic incident, which began late Thursday evening, has left traders counting their losses and calling for urgent government intervention.
The fire reportedly started around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night and continued unabated until the early hours of Friday, devastating tailoring, shoe, and clothing shops within the market. Despite the deployment of personnel from the Nasarawa State Fire Service, challenges in accessing the fire due to heaps of refuse around the market significantly hampered efforts to contain the blaze.
Victims Narrate Losses
Muse Abdullahi, a shop owner whose family lost three shops in the incident, shared his ordeal. He described how the fire, fueled by the wooden structures of the shops, spread rapidly, consuming everything in its path.
“No one could determine the cause of the fire. It started suddenly, and the wooden structures made it escalate quickly. Among the destroyed shops were 40 newly purchased sewing machines that had been delivered just that morning,” he lamented.
Abdullahi criticized the late arrival of firefighters, stating, “We waited over an hour for them. By the time they arrived, most of the damage had already been done. Even after they got here, it took hours of struggle before they could control the flames. The fire continued burning until Friday morning before it was fully extinguished.”
The intense heat from the inferno repeatedly forced firefighters to retreat, delaying their attempts to control the situation. Victims expressed frustration and called for improved emergency response systems to prevent such catastrophic losses in the future.
Heaps of Refuse Worsen the Situation
Eyewitnesses at the scene highlighted that piles of refuse dumped around the market fueled the fire and contributed to its rapid spread. One observer explained, “The fire escalated when it reached the refuse dumps, and from there, it spread to nearby shops, intensifying the heat and making it difficult to contain.”
The eyewitness urged the state government to establish designated waste disposal areas for traders to prevent similar occurrences in the future. “The hygiene situation in the market is poor. The heaps of refuse not only worsen fire outbreaks but also pose a serious health hazard. This needs to be addressed urgently,” he added.
Fire Service Responds
Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Ombogus Joshua, confirmed the incident, stating that his team received a distress call at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the refuse piles and the fire’s intensity but assured the public that his men did their best to contain the blaze.
“The inferno began around 9:30 p.m. and continued into Friday morning. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. We appeal to traders and the general public to be cautious when using electrical appliances, particularly during the Harmattan season, and to avoid dumping refuse near shops to minimize fire risks,” Joshua said.
Calls for Government Intervention
In the aftermath of the disaster, affected traders have appealed to the Nasarawa State government for immediate intervention. They are requesting assistance in rebuilding their shops and improving safety measures in the market, including the provision of adequate waste management systems and fire safety equipment.
“This is a huge loss for us. Many of us have lost our entire livelihoods,” Abdullahi said, visibly distraught.
As the Harmattan season heightens fire risks, traders and residents alike are urging authorities to prioritize market safety and hygiene to prevent future tragedies.
