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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the South-West zone has reported that over 500 shops were destroyed in the fire at Alesinloye Market in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Kadiri Olanrewaju, the zonal coordinator, provided an on-site report of the incident, stating that despite facing challenges, responders—including the State Fire Services and their SUMAL and SWEETCO counterparts—managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.
According to the initial assessment of the incident, the total losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of naira.
Olanrewaju noted that some of the affected traders had received deliveries of plastic wares just a day before the fire occurred.
The zonal coordinator concluded that the inferno has severely disrupted economic activities in the market.
“No fatalities were recorded.
However, several individuals sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation and shock while attempting to salvage their goods. However, over 500 shops and stalls were destroyed.
“Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire started in the Plastic Merchants section of the market before rapidly spreading to surrounding stalls due to the highly flammable nature of stored goods.
“Emergency response teams included the state Fire Service, private fire units from SWEETCO and SUMAL, market security personnel and local volunteers.
“Efforts to control the fire were hampered by challenges such as the absence of functional fire trucks at the market’s fire station and an inadequate water supply.
Despite these setbacks, responders successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.
“To mitigate the risk of future occurrences, NEMA recommends the following, strengthening fire safety measures, equipping market fire stations with functional fire trucks and adequate water supply, conducting regular fire drills and safety training for traders, enhancing emergency response infrastructure, establishing a well-equipped emergency response unit within the market.
“Strengthening partnerships between the Federal and State Governments and private organizations to improve disaster response, supporting affected traders, providing emergency relief packages to help traders recover.”
