At least 50 shops have been destroyed as fire gutted Fatima Simra Multi-Purpose Market in Dakata area of Kano State.
The fire incident occurred around 5:40 am on Friday, February 20, 2026.
The chairman of the market’s fire committee, Dauda Haruna Chula, confirming the incident to Daily Trust, explained that the affected shops were mainly small-scale businesses engaged in oil production, as well as recycling of plastics and nylon.
“From the preliminary, what we have seen is that about 50 shops are already down, and the fire is still ongoing. We are still expecting the Kano State Fire Service personnel,” he said.
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Chula noted that efforts were made to contact the fire service and other relevant agencies, adding that they had confirmed awareness of the incident.
“We did as much as we could to call them and inform them of the situation on the ground. I can hear the sound of their car right now,” he added.
The extent of damage and possible casualties is yet to be ascertained, but traders expressed concern over the delay in response by emergency services.
This is coming barely one week after a major fire incident affected over 1,000 traders at the Singer Market, still in Kano.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday paid a sympathy visit to the market and donated N5 billion to the victims on behalf of the government.
Shettima, who described the incident as a national tragedy, said the loss was not only to Kano State but to the entire country.
He prayed for the victims and asked Allah to avert future disasters of such magnitude.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has also announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have donated the sum of N3 billion to the victims.
The Singer Market fire, which occurred last week, destroyed goods worth billions of naira and left more than 1,000 traders counting heavy losses. The inferno affected large sections of the market, disrupting commercial activities and prompting urgent appeals for assistance from both government and private organisations.
Following the incident, authorities assured traders of support and pledged to review safety measures in major markets across the state to prevent a recurrence. Market leaders also called for improved infrastructure, including functional fire extinguishers and better access routes for emergency responders.
In summary, the back-to-back market fires at Singer Market and Fatima Simra Multi-Purpose Market have intensified concerns over fire safety in Kano, leaving hundreds of traders grappling with losses and highlighting the urgent need for stronger preventive and emergency response mechanisms.
