For the businessmen and women at the popular Labaowo Market around Ogunpa area in Ibadan North West Local Government Area of Oyo State, it was lamentation galore as fire gutted the market yesterday, des
The fire, it was gathered, started about 9am.Sixty shops and four houses were destroyed.
The chemicals section of the market as well as the section of those selling keys, padlocks and paints were badly affected by the fire.
Daily Sun learnt that the fire started when a woman was trying to open the gum in her shop and another one was cooking.
The fire from the woman cooking, it was gathered, sparked and suddenly fire exploded from the shop of the chemical seller and the whole shops went up in flame.
Although no life was lost, some of the traders sustained injuries.
Before the arrival of the men of the state fire service, sympathisers as well as traders in the market tried in vain to put off the fire.
The fire service men, who came a few hours later, battled for hours before they could put off the fire..
They were said to have complained of shortage of water when they eventually arrived the scene and were said to be fetching water from Ogunpa River to put off the fire.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire service men, who came in with four fire tankers, tried preventing the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.
Two of the traders, who suffered loss in the fire, Mrs Olaurewaju Tanimola and Mr. Dayo Adedapo, said they were inside their shops when they suddenly heard people shouting of fire and within few minutes the whole place went up in flame.
The shops of Tanimola and Adedapo were burnt into ashes.
They also confirmed that the late arrival of the fire service men caused more havoc.
Daily Sun observed the presence of a combined team of the police force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the ‘YES’ O cadets at the scene, trying to help traders in the rescue operation.
The Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Mrs. Labake Lawal, who was also at the scene, sympathised with the affected traders.
While calling for government’s assistance, Lawal also appealed for the establishment of separate shops for those selling food at various markets across the state to avoid fire outbreak.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Musa Kimo, who led policemen to the scene, said they were at the scene to protect lives of the people and ensure that hoodlums do not take advantage of the situation.
Kimo said immediately the news got to the police, efforts were made to get in touch with the fire service, with policemen positioned as strategic locations to ensure that hoodlums do not take advantage of the situation.
