A fire that broke out late Saturday night has devastated ten shops and goods worth millions of naira at Oba Lipede Market in Kuto, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
According to reports, the fire started around 10:15 pm, allegedly sparked by a generator explosion fueled by gas, owned by a market businessman.
Director of Ogun State Fire Service, Engr Fatai Adefala, confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that they were alerted at 10:15 pm and swiftly responded to contain the blaze. He reported that ten shops were affected, with significant damage to goods inside.
“The fire erupted due to a generator explosion linked to a businessman extracting palm kernel shafts, likely triggered by a power surge,” Adefala explained. Fortunately, there were no casualties, although one person sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized.
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Among the items destroyed were foodstuffs like rice and beans, along with household utensils such as pots. Basiru and Tolani Moses, who lost two shops in the fire, recounted losing cash and goods worth over N1.5 million, including N500,000 destined for bank deposit the following Monday.
Officials including Commissioner for Special Duties Funmi Efuwape, Director of the State Emergency Management Agency Wale Sonde, and others visited the site Sunday morning to assess the damage. Efuwape attributed the fire’s severity to illegal structures surrounding the main market building, stressing the need for their removal to enhance firefighting access and prevent future incidents.
She confirmed plans for demolition and revealed that the market’s main building would undergo structural integrity tests. Sonde added that NEMA officials would assess damages and offer support to victims on Monday.
Market leader Mrs. Tejumade Bakre expressed concern over post-fire looting, later halted by security forces.