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By Goli Innocent
A fire outbreak tore through Owode Market in Offa on Wednesday, destroying six shops and causing property losses estimated at ₦15 million, officials said. Quick action by firefighters, however, saved goods and structures worth roughly ₦45 million.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, DSF Jimoh Modibbo Ibrahim, the blaze started from nearby bush burning before spreading to parts of the market in the Isale Oja area.
“Our Offa Command team, under the leadership of ASF II Adedeji, promptly responded and brought the fire under control using one medium jet of water from FFS 293,” Ibrahim said.
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The fire razed a large hall stocked with food items including rice, beans, soybeans, yams, and potatoes, alongside wheelbarrows and building planks. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the destruction disrupted trade and left traders counting losses.
The State Controller of the fire service, ACF Mary Bakare, and Area Commander SF Ali Sikiru were credited with directing the swift response that prevented the fire from spreading further. Ibrahim also reiterated the importance of fire safety, urging the public to avoid uncontrolled bush burning and maintain electrical appliances properly.
Owode Market has experienced similar incidents in the past. In January, another early morning fire destroyed at least ten stalls in the livestock section, causing panic among traders and residents who scrambled to contain the blaze.
The latest fire highlights the ongoing risks to markets in the region and underscores the need for stricter safety measures and community vigilance to protect lives and property.
