Traders lament as fire razes spare parts market in Oyo

A popular Araromi auto spare parts market Agodi-Gate, Ibadan was razed by fire and also accompanied by crying and confusion at dawn on Saturday.

Everyone including traders, scavengers and those living close to the market reportedly trooped to the scene as the fire consumed goods.

As the people made frantic efforts to put out the fire, the attention of the Oyo State Fire Service was called to the scene of the incident by distressed traders.

Efforts to salvage the goods and wares in the shops were futile as there was water shortage and the fire continued with intensity.

The firemen had difficulty in getting close to the point of the fire at the Agodi Gate Area of the market, as fire trucks could not access the spot. Fire trucks parked at about half kilometres as two teams from the state fire service dragged water hose to the market.

Efforts to battle the inferno was difficult as the fire razed with intensity due to inflammable materials in the stores.

It was noted by officials of the state fire service that the outbreak was caused by a power surge that emanated from one of the shops in the popular market.

It was also learnt that electricity supply was restored to the market recently after several years of blackout.

A Toyota spare parts dealer in the marke, Samson, stated that the last time such an incident occurred in the market was in 1983.