A fire broke out on Sunday night at the popular Oranyan Market in the North-East Local Government Area of Bandana, Oyo State, destroying many shops and causing the loss of properties and goods worth millions of naira.
The shops affected by the fire included those selling gold jewelry, furniture, handmade clothing, and other goods.
A female trader named Iya Alia said the fire started around midnight before spreading to other shops. She stated that about 300 shops were affected.
However, the Director of the Oyo State Fire Service, Morof Akinwande, confirmed the incident but said the exact number of shops burnt cannot yet be determined.
According to him, the fire started in the middle of the market following an explosion-like incident. He said the fire was successfully brought under control by about 1:00 a.m.
He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the actual cause of the fire and to assess the number of shops and goods destroyed.
This is not the first time fire has ravaged the market, as in 2024, a fire burned over 200 shops in the section of the market where traditional medicine sellers operate.