Goods and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed in an inferno that gutted 14 shops at Dugbe Alawo Market in Ibadan, this Wednesday.
Oyo Affairs corespondent reports that the fire incident, which caught the occupants of a shopping complex which houses 14 shops selling Electronics, mattress, books, luggage bags and other flammable materials unaware led to confusion in the Dugbe market as victims and other residents of the adjourned shopping complex were seen making frantic efforts to prevent the inferno from spreading.
According to an eye witness, Ms. Bolaji Okegere, The fire started at around one o’clock in the afternoon and lasted for more than two hours.
The director, Fire Service of Oyo state, Mr. Adewuyi Moshood who confirmed the incident in an interview with correspondent, Micheal Oladejo, said though they were notified late they put in their best to quench the fire.
Mr. Moshood affirmed that sparks from welding activities behind the shopping complex caused the fire outbreak.
He added that a car packed by a stranger was also completely razed by the fire while other cars were forcefully moved away from the scene.
Some of the destroyed shop owners called on the Government to come to their aid by assisting them as their businesses were based on loans from banks.
As at the time of compiling this report, occupants of the shops were seen packing remnants of their goods and property.