Fire destroys 15 shops and damages 25 others at Ibadan’s Bodija market

Incident at Bodija Market In the early hours of Monday, a fire erupted at the Bodija foodstuffs market in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The blaze began in one shop and quickly spread to neighbouring premises, engulfing a row of 44 shops.

Extent of Damage According to reports, 15 shops were completely destroyed while an additional 25 shops suffered partial damage. The loss of property and valuable goods is estimated to amount to millions of naira, leaving traders in distress.

Rapid Response by Firefighters The Oyo State Fire Services Agency dispatched a crew led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Bamidele immediately after receiving the alarm. On arrival, the team found thick smoke billowing from the affected shops but was able to bring the fire under control before it spread further.

Suspected Cause The agency’s statement identified a suspected electrical fault as the trigger for the outbreak. A surge in faulty wiring is believed to have ignited the initial shop, which then spread to adjoining stalls.

Safety Measures and Aftermath In the wake of the incident, the fire services chief urged traders and residents to install and maintain functional fire extinguishers in commercial buildings. The prompt action of the firefighters prevented more extensive damage, but the market will need to rebuild and recover from the significant financial losses incurred by the affected traders.