From David Hassan, Gombe, with agency report
Gombe grains market, known as ‘Tudun Hatsi Market’, was reported to have been destroyed by fire, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kassim Toro disclosed yesterday.
According to reports, no fewer than 200 stores and property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the inferno that happened at the early hour of 3:00am.
The Caretaker Chairman of the Grains Market Association, Alhaji Usman Adamu said, “As at now, we have not assessed the damage but millions of naira was lost, because most of the produce are beans, bambara nuts and such bags cost between N15, 000 and N18, 000.”
The Director, Gombe State Fire Service, Malam Dahiru Adamu, said that the service received the report at about 3. 35 a.m. and immediately rushed to the scene to quench the fire.
Meanwhile, eyewitness account said that the state fire service was unable to reach the market on time due to lack of water, which according to him, men of the fire service had to travel some kilometres in order to look for water to enable them put off the fire.
He said no life was loss but properties were destroyed therefore called on the government to as a matter of urgency look into the matter and assist the affected persons.
Speaking, the Chairman of the market, Alhaji Usman Adamu, described the incident as sad and worrisome, noting that Tudun Hatsi market was the only markets in Gombe state that was been patronised by foreign customers from Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroun.
He therefore appealed to the federal government to assist the affected persons and also make efforts to build a modern market in the area.
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