By A devastating fire broke out in the Rijiyar Zaki area of Kano on Sunday after gas cylinders being offloaded from a Peugeot J5 vehicle ignited, engulfing shops, vehicles, and school property in flames.
The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement released Monday, April 21, 2025. The fire, which erupted around 1:53 p.m., was reported by a resident, Hamza Muhammad, who raised the alarm about the blaze at Kwanar Yan Kifi.
According to the Fire Service PRO, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi, emergency teams from the headquarters, Rijiyar Zaki, and Bompai stations responded swiftly. Upon arrival, they found a large building—about 100 by 50 feet in size—engulfed in flames. The structure housed three shops and served as a multipurpose commercial hub.
The fire reportedly originated from a gas vendor’s shop while cylinders were being offloaded. The resulting explosion rapidly spread, torching two vehicles completely and partially damaging a third. The nearby Young Marshall Science Academy was also impacted.
At the school, the inferno destroyed seven classrooms, an office, and two toilet facilities. Fortunately, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it reached other surrounding structures.
“In total, three shops, two vehicles, and seven classrooms were completely destroyed, while one vehicle was only slightly affected,” the Fire Service noted. “With God’s intervention and the efforts of our men, further damage was averted.
