Last week, a severe blaze swept through Gombe's Kasuwar Katako Timber Market, wiping out stores and merchandise valued at approximately N600 million and causing immediate financial difficulties for around 60 merchants, according to CHIMA AZUBUIKE.
The scent of charred wood remained strong in the atmosphere as daylight emerged above the Railway Station area of Gombe city. Just hours before, this place had been a lively trading center providing wood and construction supplies to Gombe State and parts of the Northeast, but now it lay in ashes, with scorched remains, bent metal panels, and glowing piles of dust. A fire that engulfed the well-known Gombe Timber Market, commonly referred to as Kasuwar Katako, resulted in at least 60 business owners tallying damages roughly valued at N600 million, causing many households to face immediate financial instability.
A fire that broke out on Monday evening, December 15, 2025, just after merchants had finished their daily operations, is now remembered as one of the worst events in the market's past. For numerous impacted traders, this tragedy erased years, and at times even decades, of financial commitment within moments.
Kasuwar Katako is not merely a collection of wooden kiosks. It serves as a crucial trade route in Gombe, providing timber, planks, sheet metal for roofs, ceiling panels, screws, and various vital construction supplies to craftsmen, builders, and residents throughout the state and nearby areas in Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa. From dawn till nightfall, trucks deliver logs and finished wood products, carpenters shout deals with vendors, and workers transport heavy items from one part of the marketplace to another.
Many merchants view their work in the lumber trade as a family tradition handed down through generations, from father to son. This sector also serves as a significant source of employment for young people, craftsmen, and day laborers who rely on everyday dealings to make ends meet.
Describing the terrifying events as the disaster unfolded, the Chairman of the Timber Market Association, Mohammed Ahmadu, widely referred to as Kasuwar Katako, mentioned that the fire started approximately at 7:45 p.m.
"On Monday evening at approximately 7:45 PM, I received a call informing me that the market was on fire, and as the market’s managers, we immediately contacted the firefighters to address the emergency," Ahmadu stated.
As he stated, when the leading companies and rescue teams arrived, the fire had already become unmanageable, driven by the extremely combustible materials kept in the marketplace.
"Prior to the arrival of the firefighters, everything was engulfed in flames, ruining our merchandise," he further stated.
Witnesses reported that the fires quickly moved from one part of the marketplace to another, jumping over small alleys and swiftly destroying lines of stores. Merchants who hurriedly returned to the market out of fear were only able to stand by as the blaze consumed piles of wood, roof components, and various items valued at several million naira.
Although the total extent of damages is still under evaluation, the association president mentioned that the numbers currently being talked about are low approximations.
"I might not provide the exact figure, but the minimum loss from the blaze is N600 million. I am confident it is higher, but for the purpose of approximation, numerous items were destroyed, including various kinds of wood, zinc sheets, ceiling materials, nails, and several other items. Sixty of our members have been affected by the fire," Ahmadu said.
Many merchants face losses that go beyond items visible for sale. Some had purchased supplies expecting the busy period of construction activity, whereas others had borrowed money or used their savings to grow their enterprises.
By Wednesday morning, merchants assembled silently near the remnants of their stores, some searching through debris hoping to find something salvageable. Others remained in shock, struggling to come to terms with the fact that their source of income had disappeared suddenly.
Local community figures characterized the atmosphere as one of shared sorrow, balanced with measured optimism that governmental assistance might aid those affected in their recovery efforts.
A merchant named Mustapha Hussein stated, "All of my sibling's possessions are within that store. Every bit of cash I lent him as well as the timber I purchased last week—everything has vanished."
Every burned store hides a family facing an uncertain future. Several of those impacted are primary earners who support expenses like tuition, healthcare costs, and everyday home necessities. Having lost their source of income suddenly, they face significant emotional and financial challenges.
Amidst these circumstances, Ahmadu delivered a heartfelt plea for assistance.
"I urge the government and compassionate citizens to assist those affected by the fire in reviving their businesses. They have families and others who rely on them. We ask for your assistance," he stated.
In addition to short-term aid, the chairperson highlighted the critical importance of long-term solutions to avoid future occurrences.
He urged that a well be drilled in the marketplace and a fire department vehicle stationed there to prevent further incidents.
When reports about the fire reached different parts of Gombe, worries began to surface regarding how fast and efficient the emergency actions were. Nonetheless, Haruna Abdullahi, the Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, denied allegations suggesting that an inadequate reaction led to the extent of the damages.
"The fire department arrived early to extinguish the blaze; however, during their journey from Gombe State University, they got into an accident," said Abdullahi.
He stated that the accident caused a delay for one of the fire trucks arriving at the scene, making an already challenging situation worse.
Regarding the repeated cases of fires occurring in marketplaces and public areas, Abdullahi pointed out that electrical issues continue to be a significant cause.
"It could be related to electricity, or perhaps another factor, but the main reports indicated they resulted from electrical issues," he stated.
Markets such as Kasuwar Katako frequently use temporary electrical setups, where several stores connect to one power supply, a practice that specialists claim greatly raises the danger of fires.
Abdullahi revealed that the administration would implement existing systems to assist the affected individuals.
"Typically, we form a combined evaluation team consisting of the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency, and the North-East Development Commission. We will carry out an extensive review. Many were affected here; most of them are individuals with families," he mentioned.
Briefly following his evaluation of the destruction, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, pledged to traders that the administration would proceed according to the advice from appropriate authorities.
"Recommendations will be collected from SEMA, NEMA, and NEDC," Jatau stated.
He recognized the requests made by market leaders, especially the push for fire protection facilities inside the marketplace.
"We've received the request from the market chairperson regarding the drilling of a well and the placement of a firefighting vehicle here. I believe there was one here before, but we'll investigate and find out what occurred," he said.
In response to worries regarding readiness, the vice governor provided a thoughtful viewpoint.
"Abacha once mentioned that even within the most effective system, mishaps can occur. If something is meant to happen, it will happen; if a goal is going to be scored, regardless of what the goalkeeper does, it will find its way into the net," he further stated.
During Monday evening, Inuwa Yahaya, the governor of Gombe State, conveyed profound sadness regarding the incident.
A press release authored by Ismaila Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at Gombe Government House, stated that the governor referred to the event as heartbreaking and upsetting, highlighting that the extent of the damage marked a significant obstacle for diligent individuals relying on the marketplace for their everyday livelihood.
"The event is heartbreaking and upsetting. The extent of damage represents a major obstacle for diligent individuals relying on the marketplace for their everyday survival," the statement mentioned.
The governor expressed his condolences to the impacted merchants. "We guarantee them that the administration remains strongly behind them during this challenging time," he stated.
In reaction to the blaze, the governor instructed the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency and pertinent organizations to promptly carry out an extensive evaluation, examine the origin of the fire, and deliver immediate assistance to mitigate the effects on those affected.
He praised the joint work of fire-fighting and security organizations.
The statement said: 'We praise the Gombe State Fire Service, firefighters from Gombe State University, the Federal Fire Service, private tank truck drivers, along with security organizations and the Nigerian Red Cross Society for their quick action, which contributed to containing the fire and avoiding more harm.'
Showing empathy towards the victims, Yahaya called for composure.
"We wish to inform them that the government will implement the required actions to reduce their damages and enhance prevention strategies to prevent similar incidents from happening again," he stated.
The leader emphasized again his government's determination to create an advanced fire department headquarters, thoroughly furnished to support current resources throughout the state, consistent with his dedication to safeguarding people, assets, and financial interests.
The announcement further revealed that the governor had been notified about an incident involving one of the fire vehicles during its response to the crisis.
"Governor Inuwa Yahaya conveyed his condolences to those affected and offered prayers for their swift recovery," said Misilli.
A business analyst named Bolaji Ologundudu pointed out that the Kasuwar Katako fire has once more exposed the weaknesses in Nigeria's conventional market systems, especially those handling combustible substances.
He emphasized the importance of better city planning, operational fire hydrants, an uninterrupted water source, and regular safety checks.
As collaborative evaluation groups start their tasks, impacted merchants ought to remain optimistic that the anticipated support and enduring security initiatives will come into effect. At this moment, the scorched remnants of the wood trade serve as a powerful reminder of how swiftly sources of income can vanish and how critical the effort to prevent such incidents has grown.
"The traders of Kasuwar Katako face a challenging path to recovery. However, amidst the ruins, there is still a collective determination to restore their community, as long as assistance arrives quickly and valuable lessons are drawn from an unforgettable night in Gombe," Ologundudu said.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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