No fewer than 700 make-shift shops at the popular Station Food Stuff Market in Kaduna, north-central Nigeria, have been burnt down in an early morning inferno.

The fire incident, which was attributed to a power surge, occurred at about 12 midnight when the traders had retired from the day’s business.

The market is known for selling cheap food items such as rice, yams, beans, life birds, fruits among other consumables. It also inhabits cold room operators and artisans.

An eyewitness told Channels Television that two people, who were sleeping inside one of the shops, also lost their lives in the fire while goods worth millions of Naira were completely destroyed.

Efforts by the State Fire Service could not save the situation, as the fire razed all the shops and destroyed food items. Only zinc and iron protectors in some shops were the only things in sight at the market, as some owners of the shops gathered, with agony on their faces. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows traders and sympathisers at the burnt Station Food Stuff Market, Kaduna.