Some part of the popular Bodija market in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday morning were razed by a fire.
Property and goods worth millions of naira were reportedly lost to the inferno.
At least 37 shops were razed in the early morning inferno.
The incident, it was gathered, happened at the Idi Igi lane of the market, where grinders are concentrated.
The cause of the inferno is still unknown, but an eyewitness said the fire started around 4:30am at ori ile end of Idi Igi lane at the market.
The incident, it was learnt, caused heavy traffic around the market, as traders made their way to the market in order to prevent criminals from taking advantage of the situation to loot their shops
Speaking on the incident, the Director of Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Engr Ismail Adeleke, said the agency received a distress call around 5:35am, adding that the personnel swung into action immediately.
He said the quick intervention and timely response of the personnel prevented the fire from spreading to other shops at the market.
He, however, said the cause of the fire incident could not be ascertained as investigation is still ongoing.
”They call the place Idi-igi lane, Bodija market, Ibadan, where there are lots of grinding machines. They grind pepper, yam flour and other things there.
“The fire service received a distress call at about 5:35am from one Mr Akeredolu Ayo, from Yemetu Police Station. The officer alerted us to the fire incident at Bodija market.
“Immediately, we deployed our personnel to the scene and on getting there, many shops were locked and the fire had spread. We had to call for back up to help us tackle the fire.
“The shops razed were about 37 out of the multiple shops there.
“We are yet to establish the immediate cause of the fire because investigation is still ongoing. We want to conclude our investigation before going public on the incident,” Adeleke said.
