Traders Slump As Fire Guts 24 Shops In Ilorin Mandate Market

A major fire outbreak has destroyed no fewer than 24 shops at the popular Mandate Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Naija News reports that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, threw the market into confusion as traders and residents battled to contain the inferno before the arrival of firefighters.

Goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the fire, which affected shops where rice, vegetable oil, drinks, drugs, gadgets and other items were stored.

The Babalola of Mandate Market, Alhaji Murtala Tambaruku, said many traders were devastated by the incident.

According to him, some of the affected traders collapsed after seeing the level of destruction.

“Several properties were destroyed running into several millions of naira. Some of the traders fainted and we are talking about those selling rice, vegetable oil, drinks, drugs and gadgets. One of the rice sellers just got over five million naira supply yesterday and everything is gone.

“The walls and the shops were completely razed without the affected traders salvaging anything,” Daily Trust quoted him saying.

Confirming the outbreak, the Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call at about 4:44 am and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.

The agency said the affected section was part of a market with over 200 shops, adding that 24 shops were razed before the fire was brought under control.

The spokesperson for the service, Hassan Adekunle, attributed the scale of destruction to a late emergency call.

“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” Adekunle said.

Adekunle said preliminary investigation showed that the fire was caused by a power surge.

“The fire was said to have started from a shop dealing in phone accessories and phone charging services before spreading to adjoining shops where foodstuffs and other goods were stored,” he said.

He added that the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, visited the market around 10am to sympathise with the victims and inspect the level of damage.

“During the visit, he met with leaders of the market associations and reassured them of the agency’s support.

“He also urged traders and market operators to prioritise fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and electrical protection devices,” Adekunle added.

The fire service also reminded market leaders of its annual fire safety sensitisation programmes across markets in the state, urging traders to comply with safety recommendations to prevent future outbreaks.