Properties, goods and other items worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire that ravaged some shops at the Nigerian Railway shopping complex in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Our correspondents gather that the fire affected three shops within the complex located along the Aleshinloye Market Road, Ibadan.
It was also reported that the fire started around 5 a.m. on Saturday and had wreaked much havoc before firefighters were alerted.
One of the affected traders, Busari Olayemi, told newsmen that people living around Quarters 4 alerted the shop owners of the fire around 6 a.m.
Olayemi, who runs an interior decoration business with his partner, Adebola Sunday Adeniyi, said the fire destroyed products worth about N21 million, including window blinds, curtain fabrics, industrial sewing machines and other equipment.
“What happened here destroyed a lot of things. Our customers’ fabrics were burnt; you can see them over there. Our industrial sewing machines and tools were burnt right there.”
Special Adviser to the Governor/Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, explained that the fire had been put out.
“It occurred in the Nigerian Railway complex and not Aleshinloye as reported, he said.
“We have quenched the fire. It occurred around 5 a.m.
The victims applauded the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, for providing state-of-the-art equipment to the State Fire Service in response to emergencies.
Akinwande equally sensitized the victims on safety precautions against a fire outbreak.
