Goods worth millions destroyed in Osun market fire incident

Goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed in a fire outbreak occured at Akinola Market, a weekly trading hub in Ipetumodu, Osun State on Friday night

According to reports, the fire broke out in a section of the market where yam sellers stored their goods which sparked panic among traders, many of whom had already left the market hours earlier.

Speaking anonymously, a trader said, “I was called late on Friday. I had left the market about four hours earlier. The part affected is the stalls where yam sellers usually keep their produce.”

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While confirming the development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said the command promptly responded to the emergency call.

Kehinde Adeleke, Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, suggested the fire might have been caused by burning refuse.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started from refuse set ablaze by yet-to-be-identified individuals after the close of business on Friday,” Adeleke stated.

However, despite their efforts, the damage was extensive, leaving traders counting their losses.

The fire reportedly spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of the goods stored in the affected section of the market.

Adeleke added, “Properties and foodstuffs worth millions of naira were destroyed. Traders were seen rushing back to salvage whatever they could, but the destruction was massive.”

,,,____Akinola Market operates every Friday, attracting traders and buyers from across the region.

_____Following the incident, concerns have been raised about fire safety measures in the market and the need for preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.

“After the last market day, traders collected their refuse for burning but negligently left the fire unextinguished before heading home,” Adeleke said.

He further emphasised the importance of traders adhering to fire safety protocols.

Efforts are underway to assess the total value of goods lost in the fire.

Many affected traders have called on local authorities to provide support to help them recover from their losses.

____The Osun State Fire Service and other relevant agencies are expected to collaborate on a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Authorities have also urged traders to prioritise safety to prevent such disasters, as the community grapples with the aftermath, traders are appealing for government intervention to improve market infrastructure and ensure stricter enforcement of safety regulations.