Fire guts popular central market in Katsina state

Katsina State’s popular central market is currently on fire with billions worth of items lost in the inferno.

Hundreds of shops have been raised down as traders continue to count their losses. A very thick cloud of smoke was visibly seen from any part of the metropolis.

An eyewitness, Yusuf Saeed, said the fire allegedly started from the Unity Bank located in the heart of the market at about 7:30 am which further spreads to other market stalls.

Visibly seen from one of the shops is a gas cylinder which are also sold in the market.

Saeed also attributed the devastating effect of the inferno to the gas cylinders as loud explosions can be heard from a far.

According to a 22-year-old Aliyu Usman whose shop was affected, goods worth millions of naira have been lost in the inferno.

He said items sold in the shop include provisions, food stuff in the wholesale as well as books which only a copy of the Qur’an and a hadith book are the only items, he was able to pick from the shop.

As of the time of filing this report, combined men of the federal and state fire service are currently fighting to bring the inferno to a halt while many traders and onlookers are busy trying to save whatever is left behind.