By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
A devastating fire outbreak in the early hours of Sunday at Tashan Babeye, in Bauchi Metropolis has gutted eight shops and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started around 2-3 am, after the shop owners had closed for the night. Some people noticed smoke emanating from one of the shops, which quickly spread to the remaining seven.
Umar Abubakar Dandada, one of the shop owners, recounted his ordeal. “I received a call around 4:00 am informing me that my shop was on fire. I rushed to the scene, but by the time I arrived, my shop had been completely destroyed. I lost over five million naira worth of electronic materials.”
Another shop owner, Shuaibu Usman, corroborated Dandada’s account. “I was called around 4:00 am, and when I arrived, I saw my neighbor’s shops on fire. With the help of others, I managed to salvage some of my properties, but the fire continued to ravage the remaining shops.”
The fire fighters did arrive at the scene, but unfortunately, they were unable to extinguish the fire due to lack of water.
The total loss incurred by the eight shop owners is estimated to be over fifty million naira. The affected traders appealed to the government and well-to-do individuals for assistance, as their livelihoods depend on the businesses.