Popular market in the ancient town of Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state early Tuesday morning went up in flames just as property estimated at about N360 million was destroyed in the inferno.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the fire outbreak which affected a section of the market started at about 2:00 am raged for about five hours before combined efforts of men of the federal and state fire services could put out the fire.
It was gathered that about 50 shops were burnt in the inferno, while the bustling commercial hub, housing 3,820 shops and 1,180 stands, suffered minimal damage.
It was also gathered that goods, especially foodstuff, charcoal and fairly used cloths, worth millions of naira, were lost to the inferno.
Speaking on the development in a statement, the head of department, media and publicity of the Kwara state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, said that the fire was sparked by a dropped cigarette end, which he said ignited combustible materials.
He said that value of commodities and property salvaged by the firefighting efforts was estimated to exceed N12 billion, adding that the incident resulted in property losses amounting to N360 million.
The market leader, described as the Iyaloja-general Offa, Alhaja Idiat Jumoke, who commended the fire services for putting out the fire on time before it could escalate to other sections of the market, called on the government to provide them with initial palliative before rebuilding the stalls.
The statement of the state fire service reads:
“In a commendable display of promptness and efficiency, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a devastating fire outbreak at Owode Market in Offa Local Government Area in the early hours of Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.
“Upon receiving the distress call at approximately 02:30 hours, a team led by ACF Oyeyipo James, immediately sprang into action.
“Arriving at the scene, they were met with a harrowing sight – numerous shops ablaze, with federal firefighting counterparts already engaged in combatting the inferno.
“Undeterred, the Kwara State Fire Service personnel joined forces with their federal counterparts, deploying two fire appliances from different stations to effectively tackle the raging blaze.
“The collaborative efforts of the firefighting teams proved instrumental in bringing the situation under control. Despite the daunting challenge, it took a concerted five-hour-long battle to fully extinguish the flames, ensuring the safety of lives and property within the vicinity.
“Initial assessments revealed that Owode Market, a bustling commercial hub housing 3,820 shops and 1,180 stands, remarkably suffered minimal damage. Only 50 shops bore the brunt of the inferno, thanks to the swift response and decisive actions of the Fire Service.
“The value of commodities and properties salvaged by the firefighting efforts is estimated to exceed N12 billion, providing a significant relief amidst the crisis.
“However, the unfortunate incident resulted in property losses amounting to N360 million.
“Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that the fire was sparked by a dropped cigarette end igniting combustible materials, underscoring the critical importance of fire safety awareness and preventive measures.
“In response to the ordeal, Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, extended heartfelt sympathy to the market vendors who suffered losses and the entire market community.
“He expressed optimism for the restoration of lost properties and emphasized the imperative of maintaining vigilance and safety consciousness at all times.
“As Owode Market recovers from the aftermath of the fire, the resilience and decisive action demonstrated by the Kwara State Fire Service serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to public safety and welfare”.
