A midnight fire outbreak has destroyed two blocks of shops at Kure ultra modern market located in the heart of Minna, the Niger state capital.
The cause of the fire outbreak has not been known yet but sources at the market said it occurred around 11.30 pm on Wednesday to 12 am on Thursday.
Daily Trust learnt that quick intervention of the fire service and other security agencies in the market kept the fire confined within the two blocks.
During the visit to the market to ascertain the level of destruction, traders said the number of shops affected are currently unknown but they were seen sorting out the little they could salvage from the damaged items.
Most of the shops seen to be affected were shops where provisions and soup condiments were sold.
Majority of the traders were seen looking into their shops with bleak expressions as if they could not grasp what had happened while others were trying to pick some things from the shop.
The Director General of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Inga said that the numbers of shops affected are currently unknowns as assessment is still ongoing.
“We are still trying to find out the cause of the fire because assessment is till going on. We do not want to rush and give a cause until all assessments are done.” he said.
