Goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed after a fire outbreak engulfed 15 shops at Bodija Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Monday.
The incident affected 15 shops out of a row of 44, leaving traders to count their losses after the inferno destroyed goods and other property.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Service/Agency Chairman, Hon. Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident, stating that firefighters were promptly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call.
Akinwande said the fire had engulfed the affected shops, with thick smoke billowing from the premises when the firefighting crew arrived.
“On arrival, the crew discovered that 15 out of a row of 44 shops had been engulfed by flames and thick smoke billowing from the affected premises,” he said.
He attributed the incident to an electrical surge and added that no casualties were recorded.
Although the fire caused significant damage to goods and property in the affected shops, the absence of casualties was a relief amid concerns over the impact of the incident on traders and their businesses.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance of electrical safety and preventive measures in markets, where a fire outbreak can result in substantial financial losses and threaten lives.
Traders and market operators are advised to prioritise regular inspections of electrical installations and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
