The Southwest zone of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has evaluated the number of shops razed by the inferno at Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan, on Wednesday at over 500.

Zonal Coordinator Kadiri Olanrewaju, in an on-the-spot report of the incident, said that despite the challenges faced, the responders, including the State Fire Services and their SUMAL and SWEETCO counterparts, were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.

The initial assessment of the incident, according to him, put the recorded losses at over ₦100 million.

Olanrewaju added that some of the affected traders had taken delivery of the plastic wares a day prior to the incident.

The zonal coordinator submitted that the inferno has disrupted economic activity at the market.

He said, “No fatalities were recorded. However, several individuals sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation and shock while attempting to salvage their goods. However, over 500 shops and stalls were destroyed.

“Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire started in the Plastic Merchants section of the market before rapidly spreading to surrounding stalls due to the highly flammable nature of stored goods.

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“Emergency response teams included the State Fire Service, private fire units from SWEETCO and SUMAL, market security personnel, and local volunteers.

“Efforts to control the fire were hampered by challenges such as the absence of a functional fire truck at the markets fire station and an inadequate water supply. Despite these setbacks, responders successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the market.

“To mitigate the risk of future occurrences, NEMA recommends the following: strengthening fire safety measures, equipping market fire stations with functional fire trucks and an adequate water supply, conducting regular fire drills and safety training for traders, enhancing emergency response infrastructure, and establishing a well-equipped emergency response unit within the market.

“Strengthening partnerships between the Federal and State Governments and private organizations to improve disaster response, supporting affected traders, and providing emergency relief packages to help traders recover.”

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