Fire destroys shops, goods at Kwara market

No fewer than 24 shops were destroyed in a devastating fire outbreak that swept through parts of the popular Mandate Ultra-Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, in the early hours of Tuesday.

PUNCH Online gathered that the incident, which affected sections of the ultra-modern market housing over 200 shops, threw traders into panic as flames engulfed stores containing phone accessories, foodstuffs and other valuable goods.

According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters received a distress call at about 4:44 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to contain the inferno.

Hassan said, “The magnitude of destruction was largely intensified due to the late call made to the Fire Service, as the fire had already spread significantly before firefighters arrived at the scene.”

He, however, noted that firefighters prevented the incident from escalating further across the market complex.

“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,” the spokesperson added.

According to him, preliminary findings revealed that the outbreak was triggered by a power surge.

The fire reportedly started in a shop where phone accessories were sold alongside a phone charging business, before spreading to nearby shops used for storing foodstuffs and other commodities,” Hassan explained.

Some traders and market stakeholders praised the firefighters for their prompt intervention, saying their efforts saved a large portion of the market from destruction.

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, personally visited the scene to sympathise with the affected traders.

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

He said, “I am deeply saddened by this incident, and I assure you of the Fire Service’s continued support.”

Alabi also urged market operators to prioritise fire safety measures in their business environments.

“Market operators should invest in both active and passive fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and proper electrical protection devices, especially in situations where shop owners may not be present during emergencies,” he said.

He further reminded traders of the annual fire safety sensitisation campaigns organised by the agency across markets in the state.

The latest incident adds to the growing number of fire outbreaks recorded in Kwara State in recent months.

On Monday, a residential building in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, was partially gutted after minors allegedly played with a cooking gas cylinder, while another fire earlier this month destroyed parts of a building comprising a two-bedroom flat and seven shops in Ilorin.