The Oyo State Fire Service says a fire at the Bodija Market in Ibadan was aided by several kegs of petrol stored in some shops.

A spokesperson for the agency, Ismail Adeleke, said the agency was still investigating the leading cause of the fire incident.

“However, in the course of our operation, we discovered that grinding machines were in most of the shops with some kegs of petrol, which contributed to the spread of the inferno,” Mr Adeleke said.

According to him, one Ayo Akeredolu from Yemetu Police Station, Ibadan, called at exactly 5.35 a.m. on Monday to inform the agency about the inferno.

“We responded quickly with a 27,000-litre capacity truck with water to the market and started putting the fire under control.

“Another 10,000-litre capacity truck also joined in our operation to finally put off the fire. But, we thank God that we were able to put off the fire before it spread to the fourth block,” he said.

Mr Adeleke said that further investigation would reveal the leading cause of the inferno.

He, therefore, cautioned residents, especially traders, to desist from careless storage of flammable substances, not minding the scarcity of petrol currently being experienced in the state.

Three blocks, comprising 11 lock-up shops per block, situated at Ori-Igi Lane in the market, were affected by the fire.

Property worth millions of naira were also estimated to have been razed down by the inferno. 

(NAN)