Latest report informs that goods worth millions of naira were burnt to ashes on Thursday as a result of a fire outbreak inside the popular Bola Ige International Market, New Gbagi in Ibadan.
It was gathered that most of the affected shops belong to Igbo traders who sell assorted textile materials at the market.
Although no one was injured and no life was lost in the incident, but assorted ankara, lace and some curtain materials were destroyed in the inferno.
Eyewitnesses said no one could ascertain the cause of the fire but they expressed unhappiness with the lack of response from the Oyo State Fire Service, whom they claimed was informed when the fire broke out.
They said they watched helplessly as the fire spread to shops with explosions heard as it soared.
One of the eyewitnesses, Rashidat Alagbe, said quick response would have curtailed the fire.
One of those affected, who identified himself as Michael said he lost everything he recently stocked. He called on the state government to provide fire service department in the market.
However Director of the state fire service, Kareem Oyekunle, told our correspondent that the effort of his men stop the further spread of the fire.
“We were there immediately and our effort stopped the fire. The market association of the market came to our office to thank us. We responded promptly and acted professionally,” he said.
