BEVERLY HILLS, February 13, (THEWILL) – Bauchi State’s Governor Bala Mohammed raced down to the scene to join rescue efforts as assets worth millions of naira went up in flames in an inferno that gutted Bababa Shopping Complex, the biggest in the state’s metropolis, located around the Wunti Market.
The fire started in the early hours of today, bringing combined firefighters from the State Fire Service, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and the Federal Polytechnic fought to control the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings.
Nothing much could be salvaged and the Governor sympathised with the victims of the incident.
Although it was yet to be ascertained as of press time the number of shops destroyed, the shopping complex having no fewer than 100 shops and stalls was said to have been virtually burnt down.
The cause of the fire could also not be ascertained but there were insinuations it might have sparked from a power surge after the Jos Electricity Distribution Company restored power supply, thereby causing sparks from some of the shops.
Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Fire Service, Abubakar Bala, said the fire started about 12.45 am on Saturday.
He said, “Our men responded to the emergency calls and rushed to the scene for rescue operations but unfortunately, the shops upstairs were all affected.”
Asked about the exact number of shops destroyed, he said, “For now, we don’t have the exact number because our men are still there counting and trying to have the value of goods destroyed and those saved in the shopping complex belonging to Alhaji Labaran Bababa.”
Bala said the combined team of firefighters was able to contain the fire from spreading, adding that, “There was no loss of life because it happened at midnight when everyone had gone home.”
