Ajase-Ipo town in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State witnessed a devastating fire outbreak at the popular Kara Market in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in the destruction of 28 shops.
According to reports, the fire broke out around 1:35 a.m., consuming 22 plank shops and six container shops before firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service brought it under control.
The market, which houses a total of 323 shops, including 22 plank shops and seven kiosks, narrowly avoided further destruction due to the prompt intervention of the fire service.
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Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, attributed the blaze to negligence by one of the shop owners. The individual reportedly cooked late at night and failed to properly extinguish the fire.
“The fire later reignited and spread to other shops because the area had many wooden structures. Firefighters arrived on time to stop the fire from spreading to the rest of the market, saving many other shops and goods from being destroyed. The quick action of our men prevented a bigger disaster,” Adekunle stated.
Adekunle also urged traders to exercise caution when handling fire, particularly in markets where flammable materials are stored. He further advised shop owners to ensure that all fires are fully extinguished after use and to prioritize safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
