A fire ravaged the Olusola Saraki Market in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday night, destroying seven shops and valuable goods worth millions of naira.
The blaze, which erupted around 9:36 pm, was reportedly caused by a power surge resulting from fluctuations in the electricity supply.
Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed that the fire consumed seven of the 269 shops in the market.
The fire affected businesses including meat vendors, clothing stores, and provision shops.
Adekunle credited the swift response of the fire service personnel, who were able to prevent further damage by saving the remaining shops.
He also shared that Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, expressed his sympathy to the market leadership and the affected shop owners.
The cause of the incident highlights the risks posed by unstable power supply, with efforts now focused on assisting those impacted by the fire.
