National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Taiwo Niyi
Commodities and properties worth billions of naira were destroyed as a fire gutted Owode Market in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State in the early hours of Tuesday.
It was gathered that the cause of the fire outbreak at Owode Market, a commercial hub housing 3820 shops, was sparked by a dropped cigarette, igniting combustible materials.
Reacting to the incident, the HOD. Media and Publicity, Kwara State Fire Service
Hassan Hakeem Adekunle in a statement issued to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital, 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 2nd, 2024.
Upon receiving the distress call at approximately 02:30 hours, 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 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.
Initial assessments revealed that Owode Market, a bustling commercial hub housing 3820 shops and 1180 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 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, igniting combustible materials, underscoring the critical importance of fire safety awareness and preventive measures.
In response to the ordeal, Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, extended heartfelt sympathies to the market vendors who suffered losses and the entire market community. He expressed optimism for the restoration of lost properties and emphasized the imperative of maintaining vigilance and safety consciousness at all times.
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 said
