A fire outbreak at Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan, destroyed multiple shops and goods on Tuesday night. Witnesses blame an electrical spark, while traders decry the lack of fire service. Authorities are investigating the incident, assuring victims of support. No casualties were recorded.
A massive fire engulfed Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan on Tuesday night, leaving traders in distress as shops and goods worth millions were destroyed. The fire reportedly started around 9 p.m., with initial accounts suggesting it was caused by an electric spark in a plastics shop. Witnesses say the blaze quickly spread to nearby stores, fueled by highly flammable materials.
Chairman of Ibadan South-West LGA, Kehinde Akanni, confirmed no casualties were recorded but stated that the exact cause and extent of damage remain unclear. Security operatives are investigating the incident to prevent future occurrences.
Eyewitnesses expressed frustration over the lack of functional fire service equipment in the market, arguing that the damage could have been minimized if the fire station had been operational. "There is a fire service centre here, but no water, no trucks. The government only collects taxes but does nothing for us," a distraught trader lamented.
Efforts to contain the fire were unsuccessful until emergency responders, including the police, Amotekun operatives, and Red Cross officials, arrived to maintain order.
Authorities have assured affected traders that assistance will be provided, while investigations continue into the cause of the blaze.
