Kano State Fire Service (KSFS) has urged members of the public to be careful and extra vigilant in dealing with fire during this Harmattan season, especially those who have the habit of using charcoal to heat their rooms.
The spokesperson for Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, made this known on Wednesday during a press briefing in Kano.
He said this became necessary due to the high demand and use of charcoal to heat rooms during the Harmattan season.
It will be recalled that in Kano, the Harmattan season begins in late November or early December and lasts until February, with temperatures ranging between 9°C (48°F) and 30°C (86°F).
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The weather can affect skin and respiratory health, causing issues like cracked skin, dry eyes, and aggravated respiratory conditions such as asthma.
During this period, people use different methods to keep their bodies warm, including warming their rooms at night.
He, however, emphasized that for safety reasons and due to the risk of fire outbreaks, the fire department has advised the public to stop sleeping with charcoal in their rooms.
The department recommended that if it is necessary to keep the room warm, water should be poured on the charcoal to extinguish it.
In random interviews with some wholesalers and retailers of charcoal, it was discovered that despite the price increase, there is still high demand for it.
For instance, one of the dealers in Yankwra market in Fagge Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, described the patronage as low compared to previous years due to the price hike.
He recalled that last year, he used to offload a truck of charcoal daily, which consisted of 400 bags, but now he sells less.
“I usually get my charcoal supply from Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger, Bauchi, and Kwara States and sell to retailers,” he said.
However, Mama Seal in the Gwamaja area of the state capital disclosed that “Currently, a bag of charcoal is being sold at N8,000, compared to N4,500 between January and June 2024, while in 2023, a bag cost between N3,000 and N3,200.”
She expressed that the charcoal business is lucrative, as she has diversified by selling charcoal, mosquito coils, and incense sticks.
“With the diversification of my business, I used to sell no less than 800 to 1,000 bags of charcoal to various companies every month,” she said.
She also mentioned that sometimes losses occur, especially when re-bagging charcoal.
Hajiya Zenab stated, “No matter the price, using charcoal to warm my room has become a tradition every cold season.”
She added, “During Harmattan, I light charcoal to keep my room warm from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. I don’t put it off because I place it in a safe location to avoid any problems.”
According to her, “I enjoy sleeping with the charcoal heat because it makes my room warm and comfortable.”
Meanwhile, Malam Bello Matawale said, “These days, even with the high cost, I use charcoal for domestic purposes and to keep my room warm at night.”
A survivor of a recent fire outbreak caused by charcoal in Odutola, Sabongari, narrated his ordeal.
According to him, “Around 2 a.m., I smelled smoke all over the room. Before I could take action, a fire had already broken out.”
“It burnt most of the properties in the room, and one of my children also sustained superficial burns.”
He advised that during Harmattan, it is advisable to be cautious with fire and ensure it is not left unattended.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE