Kwara: N360m property lost in Offa market inferno – Fire Service

• The Tuesday fire incident was reportedly caused by a carelessly disposed lit cigarette end, igniting inflammable materials which led to the fire outbreak

N360m worth of goods and property were lost to a raging inferno that engulfed about 50 shops in Owode Market in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara state, the State fire service has said.

Owode Market, which is the biggest market in Kwara State, is a commercial centre housing about 3,820 shops and 1,180 stands.

The Tuesday fire incident was reportedly caused by a carelessly disposed lit cigarette end, igniting inflammable materials which led to the fire outbreak.

According to the State Fire Service, the fire started at about 2am on Tuesday, with the firemen in Offa alerted at 2.30am.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, on behalf of the agency’s Director, John Falade, stated that 50 shops in the market were affected by the fire, with property losses estimated at more than N360m.

“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 N12bn, providing significant relief amidst the crisis. However, the unfortunate incident resulted in property losses amounting to N360m.

“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 stated in the statement.

Describing the response of the agency to the distress call, Adekunle said, “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 2, 2024.

“Upon receiving the distress call at approximately 02:30 hours, a team of firemen 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 combating 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.

“The collaborative efforts of the firefighting teams proved instrumental in bringing the situation under control. Despite the daunting challenge, it took a concerted five-hour-long battle to fully extinguish the flames, ensuring the safety of lives and properties within the vicinity.”