Fire guts Panteka market in Kaduna

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The Kaduna State Fire Service on Wednesday confirmed a fire incident at the popular Panteka market in Kaduna.

Director, Kaduna State Fire Service, Mr Paul Aboi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fire incident affected the timber section of the market.

Aboi said that the fire department received the first distress call from one Mr Sadiq Mohammed, who rushed to the fire department at 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

He said several calls were also received.

Aboi, however, said the fire incident did not result in any loss of life or injuries to the traders.

According to him, the cause of the fire is still unknown as investigations is ongoing.

He said that the fire was put out in a collaborative effort by men from the state and the Federal Fire Service.

Mohammed Abubakar, chairman of the wood section of the market, said the fire incident started at 1:10 am and commended the fire service for the prompt response.

“The Fire Service did well in putting out the fire, and after the fire was put out, the firemen remained behind to assist traders’ salvage of what was left until the early hours of 8 a.m.”

Abubakar said that the estimated total loss to the fire had yet to be ascertained, adding that a committee had been set up to determine the exact loss in monetary terms to the fire incident.

“We are appealing to government agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid,’’ he said.