Geographical Analysis of Fire Outbreak in Kano Urban Markets, Nigeria

Abstract

Frequent fire disasters in crowded urban business and market structures have become a major concern to Kano urban planners. Urban renewal schemes are being initiated to minimize the occurrence of fire accidents and other associated problems by various levels of government in the State and Country at larger. The study aimed to analysed fire outbreak in urban Kano market. Five markets were purposely selected (Singa, Kurmi, Sabon gari, Farm centre and Bata). Structured questionnaire and interview were administered using multi-stage sampling techniques. The coordinates of the markets were taken and mapped out using Geographic Information System (GIS) Software. The research revealed that there are more concentration of markets in the inner areas of the metropolis and less at the outskirt. The markets in the inner areas of the metropolis are mainly first and second generation markets while those at the outskirt are third generation markets. The study also noted that power fluctuation is the major cause of fire outbreak in the study area. It is found out that the immediate response most of these markets take is rescue their business properties. The study recommends that government should decongest and plan adequately for the markets and Neighbourhood markets should be created and its concept should be integrated in urban development. Standard electricity should be provided by either government or traders’ association.

Keywords

• Geographical Analysis
• Fire outbreak
• Urban Kano

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