A devastating fire has swept through Laranto Market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, destroying property worth millions of naira.
The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m. on Sunday after trading hours, marks another tragic fire outbreak at the market. It was reported that similar incidents had happened in the past, including a blaze last year caused by an electrical fault that destroyed goods and several vehicles.
Eyewitnesses say that concerned residents rushed to the market at night in a bid to contain the flames. However, significant damage had already been done by the time help arrived.
The chairman of the market, Alhaji Idris Shehu, confirmed the extent of the destruction, stating that goods worth millions were lost, although the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. “The fire severely impacted three sections of the market—Timber, second-hand clothes, and furniture. While we can’t yet estimate the total financial loss, it is evident that we are looking at damages in the millions,” he said.
Umar Aliyu, the chairman of the Timber section, expressed his frustration, highlighting the delayed response of the fire service. He noted that timely intervention could have reduced the extent of the losses. “When we heard about the fire, we immediately went to the Township fire service station to report it. However, the officials claimed they had no diesel to power the fire trucks,” he explained.
Aliyu added, “Despite our pleas, they refused to respond due to the fuel shortage. It wasn’t until the Chairman of Jos North and the Commissioner for Water Resources intervened that firefighters from the Government House were called in to put out the flames. Without their swift action, the situation could have been even worse.”
This incident has left traders counting their losses once again, reigniting concerns over the readiness of local fire services to handle emergencies effectively.
