Abstract
Nigerian markets have been facing the calamities of frequent fire incidents which have led to loss of valuable goods, properties and human lives. Garki model market in Abuja was studied with the aim of assessing the causes of fire incidents, in order to provide guidelines to reduce the calamities of fire incidences for a sustainable trades in Nigeria. 287 trading points were studied from the available 1,430 trading points in the market by using systematic sampling method at every 5th interval. The primary research data were obtained from the managing company of Garki model market, National Association of Nigerian Traders, and the traders in the market by the use of questionnaires, interview questions, discussions, and direct observation schedule. The secondary research data were sourced from the reviews of literature. Among the research findings are: electrical equipment and wiring have the highest number of the factors responsible for the causes of fire incidents in the market with 241 respondents testified to them out of 287 respondents of the questionnaires. In addition, the use of fire wood for cooking and preparation of meats are the factors responsible for the causes of fire incidents in the market. Having found the causes of fire incidents in the market, among the recommended guidelines to reduce the recurrences of fire incidents is that the management authorities of markets in Nigeria should make it a law for all the traders to put off electrical equipment at the close of businesses at night, in order to reduce their overheating or any other factor that can lead to fire incidences in markets.
Key Words: Calamities, Fire Incidents, Guidelines, Markets, Nigeria
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