Sele Media Africa
Reported by David Joshua
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟒 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫-𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐲𝐨
A tragic fire outbreak on Wednesday razed 14 shops and a four-bedroom flat at Ogundipe Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, leaving traders and residents devastated.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the fire started around 3:00 a.m., when most of the traders had already locked up their shops for the night. By the time help could reach the scene, the flames had spread rapidly, consuming shops stocked with goods worth millions of naira.
Victims were seen in tears as they recounted their losses, ranging from foodstuffs and clothing materials to electronics and household items. One shop owner said the inferno destroyed everything he had invested over the past year, calling it “a total wipeout.”
The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed the incident and said emergency teams were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call. However, despite their efforts, the extent of destruction was severe due to the intensity of the flames and the delay in raising the alarm.
While no casualties were recorded, the affected families and traders have been left stranded, with some forced to seek shelter with relatives and neighbors. Community members also criticized the poor state of fire safety infrastructure in the market, noting that a lack of fire extinguishers and hydrants made the situation worse.
In his reaction, a senior official of the Oyo State Fire Service assured that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which many suspect may have been triggered by an electrical fault. He also urged market associations to prioritize safety training and basic fire prevention measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Local authorities have promised to provide relief materials and explore possible compensation for those who lost their shops and belongings. They also pledged to strengthen fire response services and improve market safety standards across the state.
For now, the victims of the Ogundipe Market fire are left to pick up the pieces, as they appeal to the government and kind-hearted Nigerians for support to rebuild their lives.
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