JUST-IN: Massive fire destroys over 40 shops in Ibadan

A devastating fire has razed more than 40 shops at the Oranyan market in the Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, leaving local business owners in shock and despair.

The blaze, which erupted in the herbal section of the popular market, destroyed property and herbs worth millions of naira.

Although no lives were lost, the impact on the shop owners has been catastrophic. Many were seen in groups, lamenting their losses and struggling to come to terms with the disaster. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear at this time, with no evidence of any food vendors being present when the fire started.

Fatimoh Adebimpe, the market’s youth leader, along with other affected traders like Kafaya Lucky and Kehinde Moronfade, expressed their grief and confusion over the sudden blaze. They emphasized that the fire broke out without any apparent cause, adding to their distress.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and efforts are being made to assess the full extent of the damage.

The youth leader, Adebimpe, who said she had been in the market since 1979 lamented, “We normally resume here around 7.00 am and close by 7.00 pm as well. Whenever they ring the bell or you hear the sound of the bell in the evening, you must take your leave. So, some of us were already at our different homes when those leaving close to the market started calling us around 10.0pm that the market was on fire.”

“What could have caused this? We are not connected to the national grid, because it’s a taboo. We are not using electricity. Nobody is selling food here. So, we are still in total confusion.”

“I cannot say this is what I lost in that fire. I just bought some things like full tiger skin; and many other things that I may not want in the paper.”

“Though, the local government officials who control this area were here this morning (Monday), and they promised to do something. We are hopeful.”

Another victim, Lucky, said, “I have a lot of money in the shop. The reason why we always keep money there is because of hunters who normally bring different animals for us.”

“If you are unable to pay immediately, they may take it to another person. Forget whether he is your customer. So, you must always have money with you. That’s why we are keeping money in the shops.”

Moronfade said, “I just got a loan on Friday, and this disaster happened the next day. It’s so pathetic. No traces of burning or cooking in the market. Honestly, I’m devastated.”

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, said the Fire Services Headquarters received a fire emergency call at exactly 23:25hrs on the incident.

He said, “The incident affected 20 prefabricated shops out of multiple adjourning rows of shops.”

“The property worth millions of naira was affected, while property worth billions of naira was saved, but no life was lost. Our personnel returned back to the station at exactly 3:36hrs.”