Fire Razes Popular Kwara Market, Damages 7 Shops

A fire broke out on Friday night at Olusola Saraki Market, Ita-Amo in Ilorin, Kwara State, causing extensive damage to shops and goods worth millions of naira.

According to sources, the fire, which started around 9 p.m., was triggered by a power surge. The blaze destroyed seven shops that housed items such as clothing, meat, and provisions.

Hassan Adekunle, the spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Saturday. He praised the swift response of firefighters, which helped prevent further destruction.

Adekunle explained that the fire service received an emergency call at 9:36 p.m. on January 10, 2025, about the fire at Olusola Saraki Market, which has 276 shops. Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene, where they found several shops engulfed in flames. Thanks to their prompt action, they managed to contain the fire, limiting the damage to only seven shops, while saving the remaining 269.

The affected shops included those selling meat, clothing, and provisions. Initial investigations suggested that the fire may have been caused by a power surge, which was linked to the inconsistent power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), as reported by the market’s security personnel.