A massive fire broke out at Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Tuesday night, sending traders and residents into panic as thick smoke and raging flames consumed sections of the popular commercial hub.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started late in the evening, quickly spreading through several stalls and shops. Many traders, who had already closed for the day, rushed back to the market upon hearing of the disaster, desperately trying to salvage their goods. However, the intensity of the fire and the rapid spread made rescue efforts difficult.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, stated that firefighters had been deployed immediately to combat the blaze. “Our men are currently working at Aleshinloye Market to contain the inferno,” Akinyinka assured, adding that authorities were doing everything possible to prevent further destruction.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, but speculations among traders suggest that it might have been triggered by an electrical fault or an improperly extinguished fire left behind by food vendors. Some traders also alleged that security personnel initially restricted access to those attempting to rescue their belongings, further aggravating their losses.
Videos and photos from the scene showed flames engulfing parts of the market, with traders crying out as they watched their investments go up in smoke. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control, but the fire had already destroyed several sections before help arrived.
One of the affected traders, identified as Mrs. Olabisi, lamented her losses. “I just stocked my shop with new goods ahead of the festive season. Everything is gone now. How do I recover from this?” she cried. Another trader, Mr. Adekunle, expressed frustration over what he described as delayed response from fire officials. “If they had arrived earlier, maybe the damage wouldn’t have been this much,” he said.
Security personnel were also deployed to prevent looting as some individuals attempted to take advantage of the chaos to cart away items from shops not yet affected by the fire. Meanwhile, affected traders have called on the Oyo State government for urgent intervention and support to help them recover from their losses.
Authorities have promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and assess the level of damage. The Oyo State government is expected to issue an official statement in the coming days regarding possible assistance for the victims.
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