A section of the Bodija plank market in Ibadan North local government area of Oyo State was gutted by fire on Tuesday, causing chaos and destroying goods worth millions of naira. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and traders were seen making frantic efforts to save some of their belongings while others scampered for safety.
Fire service officials from both the federal and state governments, as well as traders and sympathizers, were on the scene to put out the fire, aided by a heavy downpour of rain that occurred later in the evening. The level of damage or loss cannot be ascertained until the fire is completely put out, according to the Director of Fire at the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Okenla, and his counterpart from the Oyo State Fire Service, Ismail Adeleke.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident, with its South West Zonal Coordinator, Saheed Akiode, stating that the agency had mobilized its men to the scene to ensure that the fire is put under control. The incident caused panic among the traders and residents of the area, who watched helplessly as the fire raged on.
The fire outbreak at the Bodija plank market is not the first of its kind in the country, as similar incidents have been recorded in various markets across the nation. In most cases, the cause of the fire is linked to electrical faults, human error, or even arson. The government has been urged to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring and to provide adequate support for those affected by them.
The fire outbreak at the Bodija plank market is a reminder of the devastating impact that fire incidents can have on the economy and the livelihoods of citizens. The prompt response of fire service officials, traders, and sympathizers to the incident is commendable, and efforts should be made to prevent similar occurrences in the future.