Katako Market, Jos, after the fire. NAN PHOTO.
Lawal said that most of those injured were visitors who volunteered to put out the fire.
He said: “I was particularly happy that the volunteers were people who had no particular stake in the market. Their total commitment was just amazing.”
The chairman appealed to PlateauState government to assist the traders, some of whom he said lost everything.
“Many have lost everything they laboured for all their lives,” he added.
Mr. Musa Ishaka, a victim, who described the incident as a “massive disaster,” called on the government to come to their assistance as they had no one else to turn to.
Mrs. Juni Dabin, a represen-tative of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, who visited the scene, expressed shock over the massive destruction and prayed against a recurrence.
She said that SEMA had assessed the damage and would send a report to the Plateau Government.
She said: “We shall do everything within our powers to cushion the effect of the disaster.”
Eyewitnesses’ accounts
Another eyewitness blamed the fire on an electrical spark after power was restored around 9.30p.m.
The witness said: “There was a spark from an electric pole after electricity supply was restored. It dropped on infla-mmable items on the ground, which ignited the fire adding.
“Within seconds of the spark, the whole place was covered with smoke and then fire.”
Another said it took the fire service and concerned mem-bers of the public several hours to bring the fire under control.
The eyewitness said several residents, that were attracted by the siren of the fire service and the blazing fire, which lit up the night, rallied to contain the fire which was eventually brought under control at about midnight.
Mahmud, a second hand clothing seller, told Vanguard: “Many residents came out to assist the fire people because the fire was spreading rapidly. They helped in getting more water.
“The cooperation of the people helped to ensure that the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.”
Many of the victims were seen going through the rubble of their shops, yesterday morning, and lamenting their losses.
One of them, Yahaya Mohammad, said he lost several bags of maize and beans to the fire. He said he also lost money he had hoped to take to the bank.
The Director of Fire Service in the state, Mr. Michael Dung, had in a recent interview with Vanguard, warned the people to be safety-conscious in view of increased incidents of fire during the harmattan.

VanguardNG

Na every year this katako mkt dey burn. May God help us,it won't be easy on the affected traders.

E don 1st burn bfor?

Why do i see this as an Arson?

Many of the victims were seen going through the rubble of their shops, yesterday morning, and lamenting their losses.
One of them, Yahaya Mohammad, said he lost several bags of maize and beans to the fire. He said he also lost money he had hoped to take to the bank.

This is why insurance is important. No serious businessman should own a shop and not insure it against fire and theft.

Sorry for your losses.

FTC

Too bad, pples means of feeding their families gone up in flames. Wish I could help

Awww, that was our HQ for bend down select stuffs back in the days.

Eeeyea, this was a great loss, this is a good reason why properties need to be insured.

What a pity! God help them.

May God almighty save our country and people from dooms. 4th to do that thing, I'm getting there

Ooooooooooooooooooooooh! God

HNosegbe:

This is why insurance is important. No serious businessman should own a shop and not insure it against fire and theft.

Sorry for your losses.

True but dey dont listen....So sad

Chineeeeekeeeee

Lanspower: May God almighty save our country and people from dooms. 4th to do that thing, I'm getting there

True dat... More lyk 11th tho

they're cocked

Haaaaaaaaa

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mollytinrox: Awww, that was our HQ for bend down select stuffs back in the days.

/// Are you a JOSITE?

eya, this is a trying moment for them

visit https://www.nairaland.com/1515687/panic-osun-community-over-discovery

Chaii!! What a pity

Oturugbeke!

confusing title

donchi5050: FTC

Go use am collect monie for bank..

Very unfortunate especially in critical time we are into

hmmm so bad

na mistake be dis

Topic different from Story...........Nairaland is going GAGA

ifyalways: Na every year this katako mkt dey burn. May God help us,it won't be easy on the affected traders.

where are ur facts..about d MKT bin burnt every year.... nawa 4 u ooo

What type of topic is this?

Na this one you can neatly used and where the alloy rim??

gothrones: ░░░░░███████ ]▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
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Has google+ war started here?