A devastating fire broke out at Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday night, leaving traders and property owners to count their losses.
The fire, which started in the evening, quickly spread throughout the market, destroying goods and properties worth millions of naira.
The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident, stating that firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control. “Our men are currently working at Aleshinloye market,” he said, promising to provide further updates.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire is still unknown. However, it is believed that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault or a spark from a generator.
The fire has left many traders in distress, with some losing their entire livelihood. “I have lost everything,” said one trader, who wished to remain anonymous. “I don’t know how I will recover from this loss.”
The fire at Aleshinloye Market has significant economic implications for the state and the country at large. The market is a major hub for trade and commerce in the region, and the destruction of goods and properties will have a ripple effect on the economy.
This is not the first time a fire has gutted a market in Oyo State. In 2020, a fire broke out at the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan, destroying goods and properties worth millions of naira. In another incident, a fire gutted 17 shops at the same Aleshinloye Market in 2019.
To prevent such incidents in the future, the state government and market authorities must take proactive measures. This includes ensuring that markets are equipped with fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Additionally, traders and market users must be educated on fire safety and prevention measures
The state government has promised to provide support to traders affected by the fire. The government has also vowed to investigate the cause of the fire and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The fire at Aleshinloye Market is a devastating to traders and property owners in the area. The cause of the fire is still unknown. But it is believed that it may have been caused by an electrical fault or a spark from a generator. The state government and market authorities must take proactive measures to prevent such incidents in the future.