A fire outbreak has destroyed six shops and a large hall stocked with food items worth millions of naira at the popular Owode Market, leaving traders with significant losses.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a fire triggered by bush burning spread to parts of the market located in the Isale Oja area of Offa.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command, Jimoh Ibrahim, said firefighters from the Offa Command responded promptly to the emergency.
“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 outbreak at Owode Market, Isale Oja, Offa, Kwara State,” the statement read.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the firefighting crew, led by ASF II Adedeji, 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,” he added.
Ibrahim said preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from bush burning before spreading to nearby shops within the market.
Although no casualties were recorded, he noted that the blaze destroyed six shops and a large hall containing food items such as rice, beans, soybeans, yams and potatoes. Wheelbarrows and planks used for building purposes were also affected.
He said the value of property destroyed in the fire was estimated at about ₦15 million, while goods and structures worth approximately ₦45 million were saved due to the swift response of the firefighters.
“The estimated value of property damaged is fifteen million naira (₦15,000,000), while property worth forty-five million naira (₦45,000,000) were saved due to the swift intervention of the firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, Kwara State Command,” Ibrahim noted.
“The Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges members of the public to strictly observe standard fire safety precautions.
“Members of the public are particularly advised not to engage in uncontrolled bush burning, to ensure proper maintenance of electrical appliances, and to adhere to other essential fire safety measures,” the command advised.
