A devastating fire outbreak late Thursday night, April 10, 2025, engulfed at least 12 shops at the Mayegun Cement Store Market, Araromi, Agodi-Gate, Ibadan, leaving traders in shock and ruins. The blaze, which started around 10:55 pm, tore through Block A, No. 64, gutting everything in its path and raged for more than three hours before being fully extinguished.
Eyewitnesses reported frantic efforts by nearby residents and shop owners who watched helplessly as the flames consumed goods worth millions of naira. The inferno reportedly began following an electrical surge near highly flammable materials, which accelerated the fire’s spread before emergency services could arrive.
Oyo State Fire Service confirmed receiving the distress call at exactly 11:02 pm. Led by Commander Fire Superintendent Jimoh, firefighters responded swiftly to the scene. According to the Fire Service General Manager, Yemi Akinyinka, the timely intervention saved a substantial portion of the market from complete destruction.
“On arrival, our team met multiple shops already engulfed in flames. We managed to contain the fire to 12 shops, preventing it from spreading further. Property worth billions of naira was saved, despite losses running into several millions,” Akinyinka stated while briefing journalists on Friday morning.
Affected traders have begun assessing the damage, with many lamenting the loss of their life savings. Most of the razed shops were reported to house cement, building materials, and household goods. One of the shop owners, Mr. Rasheed Ayinde, said he lost goods worth over N10 million, adding that he had just stocked his shop a few days prior.
This incident adds to a growing list of fire disasters plaguing markets across Nigeria, often attributed to poor electrical wiring, lack of fire safety measures, and illegal connections. Stakeholders have renewed calls for mandatory safety audits of markets and urgent government intervention to support affected traders and prevent future disasters.
Emergency officials concluded the firefighting operation at 3:18 am, but smoldering debris and emotional wreckage remained. Traders are urging the state government for swift relief and a probe into the cause of the surge, as well as the provision of fire safety infrastructure across major markets in Ibadan.
