Fire guts six shops, goods worth millions at Kwara market

A fire outbreak has destroyed six shops and goods worth millions of naira at Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a fire triggered by bush burning spread to parts of the market located in the Isale Oja area of the town.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, DSF Jimoh Modibbo Ibrahim, and made available to The PUNCH in Ilorin.

According to the statement, firefighters from the Offa Command of the Federal Fire Service responded to the emergency.

“The Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, under the leadership of the State Controller, ACF Mary Bakare, through its Offa Command and under the directive of the Area Commander, SF Ali Sikiru, on March 11, 2026, promptly responded to a fire outbreak at Owode Market, Isale Oja, Offa, Kwara State,” the statement read.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the firefighting crew, led by ASF II Adedeji, swiftly brought the fire under control using one medium jet of water deployed from FFS 293.

“Comprehensive overhauling operations were subsequently carried out to prevent any possible re-ignition,” he added.

He noted that preliminary findings indicated that the fire was caused by bush burning which later spread to adjoining shops within the market.

Although no lives were lost in the incident, the spokesperson revealed that the fire destroyed six shops and a large hall stocked with food items including rice, beans, soybeans, yams and potatoes, as well as wheelbarrows and planks used for building purposes.

He said the value of property damaged in the fire was estimated at about ₦15m, while goods and structures worth about ₦45m were saved due to the swift intervention of firefighters.

“The estimated value of property damaged is fifteen million naira (₦15,000,000), while property worth forty-five million naira (₦45,000,000) were saved due to the swift intervention of the firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command,” Ibrahim noted.

“The Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to strictly observe standard fire safety precautions.

“Members of the public are particularly advised not to engage in uncontrolled bush burning, to ensure proper maintenance of electrical appliances, and to adhere to other essential fire safety measures,” the command advised.

Meanwhile, THE PRIME NEWS reports that in January, an early morning fire also razed parts of the livestock section of the Owode Market, destroying no fewer than ten stalls and causing panic among traders and residents who struggled to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.