Inferno engulfs Sokoto central market, causing extensive damage

It was a sad Monday for traders as fire gutted the motorcycle section of Sokoto Central Market.

The inferno, which broke out in the heart of the bustling market, consumed numerous stalls and goods, leaving vendors and traders distraught.

The cause of the fire was unknown but eyewitness accounts said it began early on Monday morning.

Another report claimed that the inferno originated from a nearby dumpsite close to the market.

Men of the federal and state fire services have harmonised their firefighting equipment to the market to put out the raging flames that have sent tears to the eyes of many shop owners.

The chairman of the Motorcycles Marketers Association, Shehu Muhammad, in his reaction to the unfortunate incident, said they cannot ascertain the number of motorcycles affected by the inferno.

He appealed to the state government to, as a matter of urgency, come to the rescue of those who have been affected by the fire.

“We cannot quantify the number of motorcycles burnt down by the fire now because the fire is still raging, Shehu Muhammad said.

“But many people lost their shops along with their motorcycles because they could not come in time as the fire started around 6am.

“Men of the federal and state fire services are currently battling, but I know it will take some time before they can quench it all,” he said.