Traders at the popular timber market in Gombe, known as Kasuwar Katako, were left devastated on Monday night after a fire outbreak destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira.
Naijaonpoint understands that the incident, which occurred after business hours along the Railway Station area of the state capital, razed large portions of the market, leaving many business owners in shock and despair.
Reacting swiftly to the development, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the fire as both “painful and distressing,” noting that it had upended the livelihoods of numerous hardworking traders who depend on the market to feed their families.
In a statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor extended his sympathy to all those affected.
“We assure them that the government stands firmly with them at this difficult moment,” the governor said.
Yahaya directed the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (GSEMA) and other relevant bodies to immediately assess the extent of damage, investigate the cause of the fire, and provide urgent relief to cushion the losses suffered by traders.
The Governor commended the swift response from the Gombe State Fire Service, Gombe State University personnel, the Federal Fire Service, private water tanker operators, security agencies, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, whose combined efforts helped contain the blaze.
“Their prompt intervention was critical in preventing what could have been an even more catastrophic disaster,” he added.
The statement also confirmed that the governor was briefed about an accident involving one of the firefighting trucks during the emergency operation.
He expressed concern and offered prayers for the quick recovery of those injured.
While urging affected traders to remain calm, Yahaya reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening fire prevention and emergency response systems across the state.
He revealed that plans are underway to establish a state-of-the-art fire service facility to improve future response capacity.
“We will do everything possible to ensure such incidents are minimised in the future,” the Governor assured.