Fire Gut Shops, Destroys Goods Worth Millions in Ondo Market

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed on Saturday following a fire outbreak at Arakale Market, located beside Aralepo Palace in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Eyewitnesses said the inferno broke out in the early hours of the day, affecting at least three shops within the market.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service in Ondo State, Mr. Somi Ajayi, said firefighters responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.

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“We mobilised to the scene within three minutes and were able to contain the fire quickly, preventing it from spreading further,” he said.

Ajayi disclosed that while three shops were affected, one was only partially damaged due to the prompt intervention of the firefighters, which helped limit the extent of destruction.

He, however, put the value of the damaged goods at millions of naira.

The fire service spokesperson also advised traders to always switch off electrical appliances before leaving their shops and to install fire extinguishers to better manage emergencies.

Meanwhile, victims of the incident have appealed to the Ondo State Government for assistance to help them recover their losses and rebuild their businesses.