By Nneka Nwogwugwu
70 animals have been reported dead as a fire outbreak occurred in Ipata main market in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.
15 cattle, 15 sheep, 15 huge rams and more than 25 goats completely burnt to ashes, the state Fire service said.
The fire occurred on Thursday around 10.30pm, affected mainly the animal and foodstuff section of the market.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the state Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, said that three shops and an open shed constructed with planks for goat sellers were destroyed by the inferno.
Adekunle as quoted by the Punch said, “The brigade was summoned to this vicious incident yesterday night, at about 22:31hours through a telephone call by one Mr Lawal. Despite the intensity of the blazing fire, the firefighters were able to eliminate it on time and prevent it from spreading to the surrounding buildings in the market vicinity area. Three shops and an open big shed constructed with planks for goat sellers were destroyed by the inferno. However, more than 470 shops were saved from the ravaging fire by the firemen.”
He said that the inferno emanated from a burning dump, blown by the wind and spread to a nearby ranch where some animals were kept.
The Babaloja of Ipata market, Alhaji Dauda Owolabi, who also spoke to the Punch, lmented the huge loss of goods suffered by traders affected by the inferno. Owolabi who said that goods lost to the fire incident ran into several millions of naira added that animals, foodstuff including rice, beans, millet and animal feeds were also burnt.
He appealed to the state government to assist the traders to reconstruct the market and also help them with loans to get back to business.