JALINGO, Nigeria — A catastrophic fire that erupted in the early morning hours on Sunday, July 23, 2023, has decimated multiple businesses in the ATC area of Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State, Nigeria.
The inferno, which reportedly began around 3 a.m., has led to substantial financial loss, with the value of the destroyed goods estimated to be in the millions of Naira.
The fire affected at least ten shops, reducing merchandise and infrastructure to ashes.
Among those profoundly impacted was Gabriel Olayinka, Chief Executive Officer of Taraba News, a local media outlet.
He lost two shops to the flames.
“My goods, including stationery, were all burnt to ashes,” Olayinka said, urging the government to offer assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.
Another victim echoed the plea for help, a female shop owner, who guided reporters through the remnants of her burnt-out store.
Still reeling from the shock of the incident, she voiced her concern about the future.
“It would take several years to recover from the shock of the incident,” she said, appealing to the state governor, philanthropic individuals, and groups to extend aid.
“To survive this tragedy, government and other well-to-do persons must come to our rescue.”
A third victim, who had recently stocked his shop with merchandise purchased on credit, was visibly distraught.
“I almost collapsed when I arrived here and saw that my shop and all the goods I borrowed money from the bank to purchase have all been engulfed by the fire,” he lamented, calling upon the government and national humanitarian organizations for assistance.
While the official cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, preliminary reports suggest it might have been sparked by a power surge after electricity was restored to the area.
As the devastated community looks to recover, the tragic event has sparked conversations about the need for improved fire safety measures and reliable electrical infrastructure.
