Traders count loses as fire razes 200 shops in Ibadan
Tragedy struck in Ibadan , the Oyo State
capital, on Friday, as more than 200 shops were reportedly burnt down at a
major plank market at Alaro area of Sango.
Although the exact
cause of the fire, which started around 3 pm is yet to be established, sketchy
reports hold it that the fire was as a result of the stockpile of planks and
heaps of sawdust in the market. As at 7.30 pm, men of the state fire service were
seen trying to put out the fire, which was still raging, The Punch reports.
Some of the
traders estimate the loss to the fire incident to be over N250m and expressed
fear that if they failed to put out the fire, it could extend to other shops
overnight. One of the traders, who simply identified himself as Adegoke, expressed anger
at the fire service and described their efforts as “lame and inadequate”.
He said, “Since
today (Friday) is Christmas, I decided to observe it at home like many of our
members. But a customer called me on my mobile telephone while I was at home. I
left my shop around 2.30pm after attending to the customer who urgently needed
some goods.
“He said he
urgently needed to buy some planks, so I went to the shop. After the
transaction, I closed the shop and went back home. I was surprised when I
received a call 30 minutes later that the market was on fire.”
Check The Daily Post
newspaper for the full story.
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