Kwara’s Burning Tragedy: Traders’ Laments As Inferno Ravages Offa Market

• Fire outbreak destroys numerous shops at Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State

• Traders grieve over loss of properties consumed by flames

• Authorities assess the situation, with at least five shops reportedly affected

Eko Hot Blog reports that chaos and devastation unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning as a fire outbreak at Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State, left traders reeling from the destruction of their shops and merchandise.

The inferno, whose cause remains under investigation, has sparked concerns and drawn attention to the plight of the affected traders.

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Naija News understands that the fire resulted in the destruction of numerous shops, with traders seen grieving over the loss of their properties consumed by the relentless flames. In a viral video circulating online, one of the traders lamented, “This light is too much. This is not caused by NEPA (electricity). Maybe some people were cooking and the fire started from there because this light is much.”

A source from the town, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning, confirmed that the fire was eventually quenched by the combined efforts of personnel from the Federal Fire Service and Kwara State Fire Service. The source added that no fewer than five shops were affected by the inferno, although the full extent of the damage and the worth of goods and properties destroyed have yet to be assessed.

“The authorities are still assessing the situation, but personally, I know at least five shops were affected. The worth of goods and properties destroyed can’t be said now until the assessment finishes,” SaharaReporters quoted the source as saying. “There are also several claims as to the cause of the fire until we wait for the fire service to release their statement on it.”

The incident has reignited concerns about fire safety measures in local markets, with many calling for increased vigilance and better preparedness to mitigate such tragedies. Approximately eight months ago, a report emerged detailing a midnight fire that engulfed a residential building in the town, resulting in the destruction of property valued at N6.5 million.

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As the authorities continue their investigation and assessment efforts, the affected traders at Owode Market are left to grapple with the devastating aftermath of the fire, their livelihoods hanging in the balance.

The community rallies around them, offering support and calling for swift action to aid their recovery and prevent future occurrences of such catastrophic events.

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