A late-night fire gutted parts of the popular Araromi Market, located inside Agodi in Ibadan, destroying at least 12 shops and goods worth millions of naira in yet another tragic blaze that has rocked the market in recent years.
The fire, which broke out around 10:55 p.m. on Thursday, reportedly started at Block A, No. 64 Mayegun Cement Store and raged for several hours before it was finally brought under control by operatives of the Oyo State Fire Service.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, said a distress call was received at 11:02 p.m., prompting a swift response by the agency. Firemen, led by Chief Fire Superintendent Jimoh, were able to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby shops.
“The fire affected 12 out of multiple shops and we were able to save property worth billions of naira in the market,” Akinyinka said, adding that the operation lasted into the early hours of Friday, with fire trucks returning to base by 3:18 a.m.
Preliminary findings suggest the blaze was caused by a sudden power surge, a common hazard in the area.
Araromi Market, known for its bustling trade in auto spare parts and scrap vehicles, has suffered repeated fire disasters in recent times, raising concerns about safety and infrastructure.
On January 14, 2023, over 25 shops were razed in a fire linked to the burning of tires by scavengers. Similarly, in the early hours of December 20, 2024, a separate inferno consumed parts of the market, with suspicions pointing to an electrical fault. Another fire incident occurred just last month on March 30, causing extensive losses.
Traders and residents are again counting losses, with many calling for urgent government intervention and the implementation of preventive safety measures to forestall future occurrences.
Despite the quick response by firefighters in this latest incident, the recurring nature of fires at Araromi Market has triggered fresh calls for improved market infrastructure, regular inspections, and the installation of fire safety systems.
