Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed as fire razed many shops at Owode Market in Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
It was gathered that the fire incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
The inferno was confirmed by the Kwara State Fire Service.
The service, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Hassan Adekunle, said properties worth N360 million were destroyed in the fire outbreak.
Adekunle disclosed that an investigation revealed that the fire was sparked by a dropped cigarette end igniting combustible materials.
He stated: “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.
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“Upon receiving the distress call at 02:30 a.m., 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.
“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 12 billion naira, providing a significant relief amidst the crisis. However, the unfortunate incident resulted in property losses amounting to 360 million naira.
“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.”
Adekunle further quoted the Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Falade John, as sympathising with the traders who suffered losses and the entire market community.
“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,” he added.
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