Millions lost as early morning fire razes 14 shops in Ibadan

Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed yesterday when fire gutted 14 out of 42 shops at Ogundipe Market, Agodi Gate, in Ibadan North Local Council.

Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Fire Services Agency, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, said the outbreak occurred in the early hours, but no lives were lost. He explained that the fire was reported at 3:50 a.m. by a resident, Mr Sulaiman, and that personnel led by T.K. Olayiwola promptly responded.

“Upon arrival, we found 14 shops well alight. We swiftly curtailed the fire and prevented it from spreading to other nearby shops. No casualties were recorded,” he said.

Akinwande added that properties worth billions of naira were saved through the efforts of the fire service, while investigation is ongoing to determine the cause. He urged traders to be more conscious of fire hazards and to install extinguishers in their shops to prevent small outbreaks from escalating.