The Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Builder Ombogus-Joshua, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire service received a distress call at 9:30 pm and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.
Nasarawa, Nigeria – A devastating fire engulfed the New Modern Market in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday night, destroying goods and properties worth millions of naira.
The inferno, which started around 9:30 pm, razed through the market, affecting primarily tailoring shops. The blaze continued into the early hours of Friday, leaving shop owners and traders counting their losses.
Efforts by the Nasarawa State Fire Service to contain the fire were hindered by the intense heat and heaps of refuse around the market, which impeded firefighters’ access.
One of the victims, Musa Abdullahi, recounted his ordeal, revealing that more than 30 shops were destroyed in the incident. “About 70% of the affected shops were tailoring shops. Forty new sewing machines, delivered just that morning, were completely destroyed along with three shops owned by my father. Other shops selling shoes and clothes were also affected,” Abdullahi said.
The Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Builder Ombogus-Joshua, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire service received a distress call at 9:30 pm and immediately deployed personnel to the scene. However, he disputed the reported number of affected shops and assured the public that investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
No official cause of the fire has been determined at this time, but traders and shop owners are urging authorities to address the waste management issues around the marketplace to prevent future disasters.
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