By Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
Tragedy struck Sokoto State early on Monday when a deadly fire claimed the lives of the daughter and three grandchildren of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Sifawa.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, when the fire engulfed the residence of the SSG’s daughter, a housewife married to the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Yusuf Bello.
The fire, which broke out while the family was asleep, quickly spread through the house, killing the housewife and her three children. Her husband, Alhaji Bello, was the only survivor.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation as firefighters battled for hours to extinguish the flames.
The bodies of the deceased are scheduled for burial at Sheikh Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo Mosque Sifawa, with funeral rites set to take place at midnight today at the family home.
In response to the tragedy, Sokoto’s Deputy Governor, Engr. Idris Mohammed Gobir, members of the state executive council, APC leaders, and numerous friends and well-wishers have gathered to offer condolences and support to the grieving family.
Meanwhile, another fire broke out at Sokoto’s Kara Market on Saturday at around 12:30 a.m. The blaze, which began in the early hours of the morning, continued to rage through the market well into Sunday afternoon.
The Kara Market, which houses grains, essential commodities, and timber products, was severely affected, though no loss of life has been reported so far.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the state government has mobilised emergency services to contain the blaze and investigate the cause.
This fire is the latest in a series of market fires that have plagued Sokoto over the years.