A late-night inferno swept through sections of Katako Market in Jos, Plateau State, destroying property worth millions of naira and leaving traders grappling with significant losses. The fire, which broke out around 11 p.m. on Sunday, ravaged the timber and furniture sections of the market before being brought under control by emergency responders.
Traders Recount Losses
For many traders, the fire represents yet another devastating blow in a market known for frequent fire incidents. Abdulsalam Abdullahi, a trader at Katako Market, expressed deep frustration over the recurring tragedies.
“This fire has caused a major setback, especially in a time like this,” he said, urging stakeholders to unite in finding lasting solutions to prevent such incidents, which have become an almost yearly occurrence.
Swift Response from Fire Services
The Plateau State Fire Service, aided by the Federal Fire Service, responded promptly to the emergency. Caleb Polit, the State Fire Service Director, praised the efforts of both fire service teams and local citizens in containing the fire, which, fortunately, did not result in any casualties.
“We received a distress call at 10:49 p.m. and immediately deployed our fire trucks from the Government House and Bukuru stations, alongside assistance from the Federal Fire Service,” Polit stated.
“Each truck made multiple trips to supply water—four from the Federal Fire Service and three from our units—before the fire was controlled. While the timber and furniture sections were the most affected, it’s commendable that no lives were lost. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.”
A Recurring Tragedy
This is not the first time Katako Market has faced such a disaster, with fires becoming a grim annual occurrence. Traders and community members have called for enhanced preventive measures, including improved fire safety infrastructure, stricter regulations, and awareness campaigns.
As investigations continue, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures to protect markets and their traders from devastating losses. For now, affected traders are left to count their losses and rebuild their livelihoods in the aftermath of yet another catastrophe.
