Tragedy as fire razes shops at Ile-Ife market

…Goods worth over N500m lost

By Jeleel Olawale, Ile-Ife

Four prominent shops outside Oja-tuntun market in Ile-Ife yesterday lost goods worth over N500 million due to a fire outbreak.

The shops Jesu Seun Gift Items, Souvenir shop, tailoring and phone accessory shops have their business premises outside Oja-tuntun market at Ile-Ife.

The Assistant Fire Superintendent, Ife Zonal Fire Station, Mr Elepe Taiwo confirmed the incident during an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, in Ile-Ife.

The cause of the inferno had not been ascertained as at the time of filing this, but Mr. Taiwo said the shops were razed down as a result of the fire outbreak.

According to him, the rescue team, Civil Defence Corps, Police and sympathisers supported the fire service to put off the fire, disclosing that no life was lost.

The Assistant Fire Superintendent called on business men and women and all citizens to ensure that they switch off their sucket, light and gas cooker after closing hours or before leaving home in the morning.

Taiwo also advised that all electrical gadgets should be switched off when not being used, especially when individuals are leaving their homes, shops or offices in case of power surge.

He warned masses to keep away from erecting shops or buildings under electric wire or poles, to avoid incidents of fire outbreak.

The Assistant Fire officer also appealed to the Federal Government to properly equip fire service men and stations to handle  emergency situations adequately and also sensitise people on the danger of building under electric wire.

The Head of the Market Women at Oja-tuntun Market, Mrs Falilat Lawal, complained about repeated fire outbreaks within and outside the market.

Lawal called on the government to assist the victims of the incident, as majority of them loans from for their businesses.