A devastating fire ravaged the new modern market in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, consuming numerous tailoring shops and goods worth millions of naira. The inferno, which ignited around 9:30 pm on Thursday night, raged relentlessly until the early hours of Friday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The intensity of the blaze, fueled by flammable materials and hampered by obstacles, posed significant challenges for firefighters battling to control the situation.
The fire’s rapid spread was attributed to the wooden construction of the shops, particularly those housing newly acquired sewing machines. Muse Abdullahi, a victim of the fire, recounted the horrifying experience, describing how the flames rapidly engulfed shop after shop. He lamented the loss of his father’s three shops, along with approximately 30 other businesses, the majority of which housed tailoring materials and equipment. The newly acquired sewing machines, a significant investment for many of the tailors, were reduced to ashes. Alongside the tailoring shops, several shoe and clothing shops also fell victim to the inferno.
The delayed arrival of the Nasarawa State Fire Service further exacerbated the situation. Abdullahi expressed his frustration with the firefighters’ tardiness, asserting that their eventual arrival was of little use, as the damage had already been done. He described how they waited for over an hour for the fire service to appear, only to witness their struggle to contain the flames. The fire continued to burn fiercely throughout the night, finally succumbing to the firefighters’ efforts between 8:00 am and 9:15 am on Friday morning.
Adding to the difficulty faced by firefighters were heaps of refuse surrounding the market. The piles of garbage not only served as fuel for the fire but also impeded access for emergency responders. An eyewitness recounted how the fire quickly spread from the initial point of ignition to the nearby refuse dump, escalating the blaze and contributing to the rapid spread to the shops. The eyewitness appealed to the state government to provide an alternative waste disposal site for the market to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Director of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Ombogus-Joshua, confirmed the incident, stating that he received a distress call around 9:30 pm on Thursday. He immediately dispatched his team to the scene, but the fire’s intensity and the challenging conditions at the market hindered their efforts. The fire raged for hours, resulting in substantial financial losses for the affected traders. Echoing the concerns of Abdullahi and other market traders, Ombogus-Joshua urged the public to exercise caution with electrical appliances and refrain from indiscriminately dumping refuse near their shops, particularly during the dry Harmattan season.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of markets, especially those with wooden structures and inadequate fire safety measures. The Lafia market fire underscores the critical need for improved fire prevention strategies, including regular inspections, proper waste management, and accessible fire hydrants. The devastating loss suffered by the traders emphasizes the importance of community awareness and preparedness in mitigating the impact of such disasters. The call for a designated refuse disposal area underscores the critical role of responsible waste management in preventing fire outbreaks and maintaining a safe market environment. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive measures and community collaboration in safeguarding livelihoods and preventing such tragic occurrences.
