A fire incident has destroyed six shops and goods worth millions of naira at the popular Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a fire, reportedly triggered by bush burning, spread to parts of the market located in the Isale Oja area of the town.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, DSF Jimoh Modibbo Ibrahim, and made available to PUNCH Metro in Ilorin.
According to the statement, firefighters from the Offa Command of the Federal Fire Service promptly responded to the emergency under the directive of the Area Commander, SF Ali Sikiru.
“The Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, under the leadership of the State Controller, ACF Mary Bakare, through its Offa Command and under the directive of the Area Commander, SF Ali Sikiru, on March 11, 2026, promptly responded to a fire at Owode Market, Isale Oja, Offa, Kwara State,” the statement read.
The spokesperson explained that the firefighting team, led by ASF II Adedeji, arrived at the scene and quickly brought the fire under control to prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the firefighting crew swiftly brought the fire under control using one medium jet of water deployed from FFS 293. Comprehensive overhauling operations were subsequently carried out to prevent any possible re-ignition,” Ibrahim said.
He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by bush burning, which spread to adjoining shops within the market.
Although no life was lost in the incident, the spokesperson said the fire destroyed six shops and a large hall stocked with food items, including rice, beans, soya beans, yams and potatoes, as well as wheelbarrows and planks used for building purposes.
He further revealed that the value of property destroyed in the inferno was estimated at about N15m, while goods and structures worth about N45m were salvaged due to the swift intervention of firefighters.
“The estimated value of property damaged is N15m, while properties worth N45m were successfully saved due to the swift intervention of firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command,” Ibrahim noted.
The command urged residents to avoid uncontrolled bush burning and to strictly observe basic fire safety precautions to prevent similar incidents.
“The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to observe standard fire safety precautions. Residents are particularly advised to avoid uncontrolled bush burning, ensure proper maintenance of electrical appliances and adhere to other essential fire safety measures,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Metro reports that in January, an early morning fire incident also razed parts of the livestock section of the Owode Market, destroying no fewer than ten stalls and causing panic among traders and residents who struggled to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.
