Fire Guts Olusola Saraki Market in Ilorin, Goods Worth Millions Destroyed

A devastating fire outbreak on Friday night razed parts of the Olusola Saraki Market, Ita-Amo area in Ilorin West Local Government Area, destroying goods worth several millions of Naira.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed that the inferno consumed seven shops out of the 269 within the market. Items destroyed in the blaze included clothing materials, provisions, mineral drinks, and meat products.

According to a statement released by the Fire Service, the fire was triggered by a power surge resulting from fluctuating electricity supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). Preliminary investigations, based on reports from market security personnel, pointed to unstable power as the likely cause of the incident.

“The affected shops included meat vendors, clothing material shops, and provision stores,” the statement read.

The Fire Service extended heartfelt sympathies to the market leadership, affected traders, and the entire market community. It expressed hope that the victims would recover their losses in greater measures.

The agency also urged traders and the general public to adopt stringent fire safety precautions to prevent similar disasters in the future.