Properties worth N150m destroyed as fire raises GSM market in Yobe

By Bala Dauda, Damaturu

Fire outbreak has destroyed goods worth N150 million at a GSM market, popularly known as “ Kasuwan Jagwal” in Damaturu, Yobe State.

Mr. Baba Bello, the Public Relations Officer, Yobe State Fire Service Command, said about 30 shops were destroyed in the incident.

“At about 5:50 am this morning, we received a distress call notifying us of the incident,” he said. “A few minutes later, our team arrived. A lot of damage had already been done at the time.”

Bello added that their investigations revealed the incident might have been caused by high voltage.

Therefore, he urged members of the public to always switch off all electrical appliances and disconnect electric cables from sources before going to sleep or closing up shops.

Alhaji Malami Ali, the Chairman of the GSM Sellers Association in the market, said over N150 million worth of properties were lost as a result of the incident.

Alhaji Ali Sheriff, the Chairman of the Damaturu Trader’s Association, also said the fire might have been caused by an electrical fault.

“It was early this morning that I received a call about what was happening, and we quickly rushed to the site. Then, there were about three shops that were on fire,” he explained.

“The firefighters were there, but their water pump was faulty, so they could not put off the fire,” he explained. Sheriff said police personnel were also there to assist.

He attributed the cause of the fire outbreak to a lack of knowledge on the part of traders on how to use modern solar-powered appliances and gadgets.

The chairman, however, pledged to ensure that shop owners are trained on that to avoid future occurrences.

Malam Abuna and one Yahya Ngubdo, owners of sorghum shops at the market, said they lost a total of 130 bags as a result of the incident.

They called on the state government and well-meaning individuals to come to their assistance.