Fire destroys 17 shops in Osun market

At least 17 shops were affected in the early morning inferno where goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in Oja Tuntun, the biggest market in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Saturday.

The Spokesperson, Osun State Fire Service, Adekunle Ibrahim, during an interview, revealed that the firemen received a distress call from a resident living near the market around 12.30 am.

Ibrahim said when firefighters arrived at the scene, the inferno had affected a building having 16 shops and a container within the market.

According to him, “Ile-Ife Zonal Fire Station was informed about a fire incident at Olulere New Market, Oja Tuntun in Ile-Ife around 12.30am on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

“Our men met the fire well lit and put out the fire with assistance from the OAU Fire Unit. Properties saved worth over N500 million, but a block which had a total of 16 shops and one container, making a total of 17 shops were affected.”

Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, ensured that goods were not looted as firefighters struggled to quench the fire.

The Public Relations Officer of the corps in the state, Kehinde Adeleke, said operatives of the command were on guard at the scene to prevent looting, as firemen battled to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.