Over N300m worth of property have been lost to fire at the popular Owode market in Offa, Kwara State.

The fire incident which was reported to have begun at about 2:30am on Tuesday, 2nd of April, 2024, was said to have been caused by a lit cigarette dropped by a random smoker.

According to a press statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin by the Head of Media and Publicity, Kwara State Fire Service- Mr. Hassan Adekunle, firefighters led by ACF. Oyeyipo James, promptly responded to the distress call, an act that limited the spread of the inferno to 50 out of a total of about 3820 shops and 1180 stands.

“Initial assessments revealed that Owode Market, a bustling commercial hub housing 3,820 shops and 1,180 stands, remarkably suffered minimal damage. Only 50 shops bore the brunt of the inferno, thanks to the swift response and decisive actions of the Fire Service.

The value of commodities and properties salvaged by the firefighting efforts is estimated to exceed N12 billion, providing a significant relief amidst the crisis. However, the unfortunate incident resulted in property losses amounting to N360m.” He added.

The Spokesperson also said that the Director Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Olumuyiwa Falade has sympathized with the traders at Owode Market, Offa, over the unfortunate incident, calling for vigilance and adherence to safety practices at all times.