No fewer than 45 shops were destroyed in an early morning fire outbreak in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The inferno happened at the early hours of Saturday, 14 January.
The fire started at about 2:00am and the state fire service succeeded in putting it off around 5 a.m.
It was reported that about 45 shops were affected by the fire incident at the spare parts market, which is one of the major markets in Ibadan.
The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Rev. Canon Yemi Akinyinka, blamed the fire on refuse burning.
He said: “Our men are at Araromi Market Agodi Gate since 2:30 a.m. where they are putting off the fire caused by indiscriminate refuse burning.
“The fire was suppressed at 5:00 a.m. Cooling down operation is ongoing to suppress re-ignition. On my way for on the spot assessment.
“I cannot say specifically the number of shops now, you know it is an emergency. It started in the night. About 45 shops.”
