A late-night fire outbreak has destroyed sections of the popular Gombe timber market (Kasuwar Katako) located near the Railway Station area of the state capital.
The blaze, which broke out on Monday night after business hours, consumed several shops and large quantities of goods, leaving many traders facing significant financial losses.
Meanwhile, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has ordered an immediate investigation and emergency support for affected traders.
In a statement released by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, the governor described the incident as deeply troubling, noting that it had disrupted the livelihoods of numerous residents who rely on the market for their daily income.
Governor Yahaya extended his sympathies to the traders and business owners impacted by the fire, assuring them that the state government would stand by them during the recovery process.
“We assure the affected traders that the government will provide the necessary support to help them through this difficult period,” he said.
The governor directed the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (GOSEMA) and other relevant authorities to promptly assess the scale of the destruction, determine the cause of the fire, and deliver urgent relief materials to mitigate the losses suffered by victims.
He also commended the swift response of the Gombe State Fire Service, alongside personnel from Gombe State University, the Federal Fire Service, private water tanker operators, security agencies, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, whose combined efforts helped contain the fire and prevent further damage.
While urging those affected to remain calm, Yahaya reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing fire safety and emergency response across the state, including plans to establish a modern, fully equipped fire service facility.
The statement further disclosed that the governor had been briefed on an accident involving one of the firefighting trucks during the operation, expressing concern for those injured and wishing them a speedy recovery.
