Hussaini Kafi in Kano
A raging fire outbreak, reportedly triggered by a gas explosion, has destroyed a filling station, a warehouse, and other buildings in Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The inferno, which started around 11:00 PM on Saturday, consumed a warehouse owned by a well-known businessman, Alhaji Seven Seven, along with other commercial properties.
Eyewitnesses lamented the lack of emergency response, noting that the absence of fire service intervention has contributed to recurring fire incidents in the area. In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, a resident is heard decrying the situation, stating that no fire service personnel arrived to contain the flames.
“As you can see, at around 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM, a fire broke out in Sabon Wuse, destroying a fuel station, a food store, and Alhaji Seven Seven’s warehouse. The fire is still burning, and there has been no assistance from the fire service. This has been an ongoing issue in our area. We are pleading with the government to come to our aid, as this situation poses a serious risk. May God help us,” the resident said.
When contacted, the Niger State Fire Service Prevention Officer, Ibrahim Khalil Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire was eventually extinguished between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM on Sunday.
“We are aware of the incident. Our men went there. They eventually quenched it around 2 AM to 3 AM. We thank God there is no casualty, but we are still investigating the cause and the extent of the damage done,” he told SaharaReporters.
He added that further updates would be provided after a full assessment of the destruction.
This latest fire incident has reignited concerns over the lack of adequate fire service coverage in Niger State, especially in commercial areas vulnerable to such disasters.
This incident comes just weeks after a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion in the state that claimed at least 98 lives. The explosion occurred when residents rushed to collect spilled fuel, which suddenly ignited, leading to a devastating fire.
With repeated fire disasters and inadequate emergency response, residents are calling on the government to strengthen fire service operations and implement preventive measures to avert further loss of lives and properties.
