Fire has gutted 10 shops at the Katsina Central Market, also known as Fatima Baika Market, in the early hours of Tuesday.
Some traders attributed the incident to a solar-powered electricity inverter, alleging that it sparked the blaze that quickly spread through parts of the market.
The spokesperson of the Katsina State Fire Service, Rabe Audi, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying a distress call was received shortly after the fire started, prompting firefighters to swiftly mobilise to the scene.
He said the prompt response helped to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the market, adding that seven nearby shops and several goods were successfully saved.
According to him, 10 shops were completely destroyed in the inferno before it was brought under control.
The affected shops reportedly included those dealing in food items, beverages, textiles, curtains and other assorted goods, while a Peugeot 406 vehicle was also among properties rescued from the fire.
Rabe Audi noted that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but advised members of the public, especially users of solar inverter systems, to ensure proper installation and maintenance to prevent similar incidents.
He assured that a full assessment of the damage would be conducted to determine the extent of losses recorded in the market.
