By Peace Erewunmi

A late-night fire outbreak has destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira at the popular Oranyan Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The fire reportedly started around midnight on Sunday and affected sections of the market located in the Ibadan North-East Local Government Area.

Traders dealing in gold, furniture, second-hand clothing and other goods were among those whose businesses were affected by the inferno.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as devastating, with some claiming that close to 300 shops may have been affected.

However, the Oyo State Fire Service has cautioned against putting a definite figure on the number of shops destroyed until a proper assessment of the damage is completed.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reforms and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Morof Akinwande, confirmed the incident.

According to him, the fire reportedly started in the middle of the market following an explosion. He said it was not yet clear whether the explosion was caused by gas or another source.

Akinwande added that firefighters were able to bring the situation under control by about 1:00 a.m., preventing the flames from spreading further.

Traders Count Their Losses

The extent of the destruction has left several traders counting their losses, with properties and merchandise reportedly destroyed in the fire.

The incident has also renewed concerns over the safety of major markets in Ibadan, particularly given the recurrence of market fires in the city.

The latest outbreak occurred barely two days after another fire destroyed nine locked-up shops at the Nigerian Railway Shopping Complex along Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.

Oranyan Market itself has also experienced a major fire incident in the past. In 2024, more than 200 shops in the market’s herbal section were reportedly destroyed by fire.

Oyo Government Reacts

The Oyo State Government has expressed sympathy to the traders and residents affected by the latest incident.

The Acting Governor of the state, Bayo Lawal, described the fire as a tragic loss that had disrupted the livelihoods of traders and caused hardship for affected families.

He said emergency response teams had been deployed to assess the damage, while the government was working on immediate relief measures for victims.

Lawal also commended the Oyo State Fire Service and other security agencies for their response, assuring affected traders that the government would work towards restoring the market and putting preventive measures in place.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, while authorities are expected to conduct a detailed assessment to determine the exact number of shops and the value of goods destroyed.

For now, affected traders are left to deal with the aftermath of another devastating market fire in Ibadan.