A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at the Jos Main Market, reducing over 500 shops to ashes and destroying goods worth millions of Naira. Thankfully, no lives were lost, according to the Market Chairman, Mustapha Ibrahim Bako, who spoke to African Drum.

Bako said the fire started around 11 p.m. but lamented that firefighters failed to respond on time, despite his efforts to alert them.

“I received information that the fire incident started at about 11pm, but can’t really tell you the cause of the fire. However, I want to let you know for sure that the incident is not as a result of electrical fault as we always make sure that the main fuse was removed before we leave the market,” he said.

Expressing disappointment at the Fire Service’s response, Bako added:

“After making a phone call informing them about the incident and they failed to come, I had to personally go to their office along Masallachi Jumma’a Street and I noticed that all their operational vehicles were grounded.

“So, I had to put a phone call to the Honourable Member Representing Jos North-North in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, who in turn, put a call to Government House which led to the arrival of one fire fighter vehicle from Bukuru.

“However, that one vehicle could not battle the flames as the water in the truck got finished, and before they returned after refilling the vehicle, the whole market was razed down completely and this got the victims infuriated.”

Bako called on the Plateau State Government to urgently intervene by rebuilding the market and compensating affected traders.

Several victims also shared their grief, calling on the government to rescue them from complete financial ruin.

“We are delighted in the way and manner the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang is conducting the affairs of governance.

“We are even more delighted that we were instrumental to the emergence of this administration. It is for this reason that we are calling on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take what happened to us with high degree of consideration. Our livelihood is gone. We are pleading with the governor to come to our aid,” said Haruna Abbas, speaking on behalf of other traders including Abdullahi Alkasir, Kaneng Mike, Nakom Gotum and Hauwa Adam.

Beyond the flames, the chaos also opened the door for criminals, who reportedly looted shops not even affected by the fire, worsening the losses.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Plateau State Fire Service, Caleb Polit, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. However, a fire service personnel who asked to remain anonymous refuted the claims made by the Market Chairman.

“It’s not true that all our vehicles are grounded. It’s also not true that we did not respond to the distress call. We did and as we arrived the scene, we were attacked by the traders as they stoned and refused us access to the scene,” the official stated.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement.