MarketTraders at the popular Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, widely known as Iso Alagbo, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been left devastated after a fire outbreak razed several shops and destroyed goods valued at millions of naira.
The inferno, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, consumed traditional herbal products used for treating various ailments, along with numerous other valuable items belonging to traders.
According to reliable sources, the fire reportedly began in one of the market stalls before spreading rapidly to neighbouring shops, causing widespread destruction. The full extent of the financial losses is yet to be determined.
Many of the affected traders gathered around the market after the incident, visibly shocked as they assessed the damage caused by the blaze. While some traders believed the fire may have been triggered by a power surge, others expressed different views regarding what might have caused the incident.
One of the victims, who identified herself as Mama Kaila, described the incident as one of the worst the market had experienced in years. She said, “It’s been a long time since we experienced this kind of incident in the market.”
According to her, market leaders had consistently advised traders to exercise caution in the use of electrical appliances within their shops. She added, “The market leadership always advises us to be careful with the electrical appliances in our various shops. Our losses cannot be quantified.
All I can say for now is that they run into millions of naira.” Despite the destruction, she expressed gratitude that no lives were lost and commended emergency responders for arriving promptly.“
However, we thank God that no life was lost in the incident. I also thank the officials of the Oyo State Fire Service for their prompt response to the incident,” she said.
Providing an eyewitness account, the market’s youth leader, Adebimpe, explained that trading activities usually begin at 7:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m., after which all traders are expected to vacate the premises once the closing bell is sounded.
He recalled that many traders had already returned home when residents living close to the market alerted them to the emergency.
Adebimpe said, “We normally resume business here around 7.00 a.m. and close by 7.00 p.m. Whenever the closing bell is rung in the evening, everyone is expected to leave the market.”
He added, “Some of us had already returned home when those who live close to the market started calling us at about 10.00 p.m. to inform us that the market was on fire.”
As traders continue to assess the damage, many are appealing for support to help them recover from the significant losses suffered in the fire outbreak.
