How fire razed 15 shops in Kaduna market

The Kasuwan Barci market has been in existence for over 60 years. It was relocated from Kasuwan Dutse in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna North Local Government Area. The last major fire incident in the market happened during General Abdulsalam’s era in the 1990s when it was completely burnt.When Sunday Trust visited the market last […]

The Kasuwan Barci market has been in existence for over 60 years. It was relocated from Kasuwan Dutse in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna North Local Government Area. The last major fire incident in the market happened during General Abdulsalam’s era in the 1990s when it was completely burnt.
When Sunday Trust visited the market last Thursday, traders were seen attending to customers in front of their burnt shops. They said there was no money to rent another shop, neither was there an alternative to their businesses.
Narrating his ordeal, one of the affected trades, Alhaji Awwalu Rogo, said he lost goods worth over N400, 000. “The fire started about 12 midnight last Friday. The affected shops are not even connected to electricity, so the incident cannot be traced electrical fault. At least 15 shops were affected.
“When the fire started, we were alerted by people living near the market. When we got there we alerted the Fire Service at Tudun Nupawa; but they gave excuses, saying they could not come. If not for Good Samaritans who took it upon themselves to bring water and sand, I cannot say what would have become of this market.
“As you can see for yourself, we have been left with no option than to display our cloths in front of our burnt shops. We hope the state government would, as a matter of urgency, look into our plight and find a quick solution. It is through this business that we cater for the daily needs of our immediate and extended families,” Rogo appealed.
Another victim of the incident, Magaji Sabiu, said he lost over N680, 000.
“I sell socks and other secondhand wears. It is very unfortunate that we have been recording fire incidents but the causes are unknown. And traders keep incurring losses,” he said.
He also called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid by rebuilding the shops so that they can go back to business.
Also speaking to our reporter, Isa Tahir, one of the elders in the market, lamented the nonchalant attitude exhibited by men of the Fire Service over the incident.
“Some of the traders went to report the incident to the Fire Service, but they said their vehicle was not operational. And they did not come. If not for the combined efforts of the traders and some other individuals who helped put out the fire, the whole market would have been razed.
“Our market has crashed because there is no place for our customers to stay. We have to beg our colleagues to assist us by storing some of the things we salvaged from the fire in their shops,” he said.
However, a source in the market who did not want his name mentioned, attributed the fire incident to lack of adequate security in the market. “You won’t believe that as big as this market is, we lack proper security. I believe the fire incident was caused by unscrupulous elements who do not have the interest of the market at hand.
“All the shops in this market pay revenue, but unfortunately, when the market closes between 6pm and 8pm, there is no security put in place to safeguard the property of the traders. So even if someone is in the market causing havoc, there will be nobody to stop him.
“The market is very porous. It has many exits; hence, anyone can come in and leave the market without being noticed by the traders or people living around the market. This is very dangerous, especially now that the whole country is battling with insecurity.
“Government should look into the matter, and as a matter of urgency, put a wall round the market, as well as state a specific opening and closing time, just as it is done in other markets in the state. If this is done, anyone caught in the market after the closing time will be held liable for any incident. “No one can say how the fire started. It is very possible that someone set the shops on fire since there is no security personnel in the market,” he said.  
Meanwhile, financial secretary of the Kasuwan Barci Traders Association, Umar Abdulrahman confirmed that efforts are being made to ensure that the affected traders get back on their feet.
“When the incident happened on Friday, our association informed some notable members of the society and the state government, asking them to come to our aid. Individuals came, but the state government did not come.
“We lost over N10 million. Everyone knows what is happening in this country. We have a government but the government is not concerned about the wellbeing of the poor.’’
Reacting to the issue of security in the market, Abdulrahman said, “We have guards – the local vigilante who we pay on a monthly basis. We suspect the fire was caused by a lantern. It is possible that someone forgot his lantern on and left.
“We went to the Fire Service at Tudun Nupawa, but unfortunately, they started offering excuses, including lack of tyres, fuel and water. In the end, they did not come. It took the efforts of Good Samaritans to quench the fire.
“We are still waiting for the state government to come to our aid. We expect them to rebuild the burnt shops. It is shocking that the chairman of Kaduna South Local Government Area, Bala Isa, has not visited the scene of the incident.
“Since he assumed the mantle of leadership as chairman, there have been series of fire outbreaks in the market, but he has not visited. This is someone who came to the market to ask for votes during his campaign. We voted for him, but this is the thank you we get. During his campaign, he promised to construct access roads in the market, as well as employ cleaners to sweep its surroundings, but we have not seen him after he was voted in.
“What he did after he was sworn in was to increase the revenue in the market from N1, 200 to N2, 500.  After a long battle, he said he would use the increment to develop the market. But up till now, we are still waiting. We gave him all the cooperation he needed by collecting the money from the over 5, 000 shops as at when due, but he did not keep his own part of the bargain,” he lamented.
Our correspondent was unable to get in touch with the chairman as his phone was not reachable at the time of filing this report.