Early Morning Fire Ravages Commercial Area in Gombe State

A major fire swept through a business district in Gombe State in the early hours of Saturday, destroying numerous shops and outlets and causing extensive property damage.

The blaze erupted around 3 a.m. at New Mile 3 along the Gombe–Yola Road. It spread rapidly, gutting roadside containers, shops, and restaurant outlets. A preliminary assessment indicates that over 80 percent of the affected commercial zone was razed, with goods and properties worth millions of naira lost.

Officials confirmed that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported despite the scale of the destruction.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Amb. Yusuf Danbayo, attributed the prevention of a worse catastrophe to the swift action of emergency and security agencies. He praised the coordinated response of the police from Tumfure and Pantami Divisions, Operation Hattara, and firefighting teams.

“The Federal Fire Service, Gombe State University Fire Service, and the Union of Tank Truck Water Sellers worked tirelessly,” Danbayo stated. He emphasized that their efforts were critical in preventing the flames from reaching nearby fuel stations, which could have led to a devastating explosion.

Danbayo also commended community leaders, led by Alhaji Auwal Abdulkadir, Chairman of Mile 3, for their role in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.