Traders at the Azare Central Market in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been counting their losses as a large portion of the market was gutted by fire on Sunday.

The inferno which started around midnight was said to have lasted till around 8:00 am on Monday.

Although no lives were lost, the traders say goods worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Narrating the incident to Channels Television, some of the traders said it was difficult putting out the fire because the fire station in the community has only one vehicle.

However, according to them, water tankers from the palace of the emir of Katagum and the College of Education in Azare were eventually deployed to quench the flames.

Officials of the state emergency management agency who later arrived at the scene, say they are yet to ascertain the cause of the outbreak but have been busy with rescue efforts.

Azare market is the oldest and only big market in the town. (Channels TV)