5th September, 2012
Gbenro Adesina/ Ibadan
Property worth several millions of Naira were today destroyed as fire gutted the Labaowo Market at Ogunpa area of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, in the western part of Nigeria.
The market under Ibadan North Local Government is known for fire disasters as it has recorded about five incidents within three years.
Helplessly watching their property being destroyed by fire, the traders at the market could not control their emotions as they broke down in tears.
PM NEWS gathered that the fire gutted four houses which included three bungalows and a storey building and destroyed over 50 shops.
The roofs, windows and ceilings of some buildings were badly affected by the inferno while the chemical section of the market and part of those selling keys, padlocks and paints were razed down by the fire.
It was gathered that before the arrival of firefighters, sympathizers tried to put off the fire, without success.
Speaking with journalists, the state Director of Fire Service, Mr. Kareem Oyegunle Gafari, said the cause of the fire was yet to be known, assuring that his men would investigate the incident.
But an eyewitness who refused to disclose her name, said the fire broke out when one of the traders was filling a chemical gum into a jerry can.
She explained that a trader at the chemical section of the market was trying to fill a customer’s jerry can with gum and suddenly fire just broke out with lot of explosives around the area adding, “we have lost so much in this market today”.