A night-time fire incident at Ilorin’s popular phone village within Challenge Market on Wednesday led to significant financial losses for several traders, though quick action helped minimize its reach.
The Kwara State Fire Service revealed that the fire, ignited by a suspected power surge, broke out at around 9:06 p.m. Out of the market’s 120+ shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stalls, only 10 kiosks suffered damage, thanks to rapid firefighting efforts.
Fire Service spokesman Hassan Adekunle noted that most of the affected structures were phone shops and repaicentresrs. He lauded the professionalism of the firefighting team, whose quick intervention curbed further destruction.
Appreciation poured in from the market community, with many commending the fire service for saving the market from what could have been a much worse outcome.
Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, the service director, offered his heartfelt sympathies to the affected vendors and prayed for divine restoration of their losses.