Fire Guts About 300 Shops at Oranya Market in Ibadan
There was panic in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday morning after a fire outbreak destroyed several shops at Oranya Market in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area.
The inferno reportedly affected traders dealing in various goods, including gold, furniture and second-hand clothing, among other businesses.
The exact number of shops destroyed could not immediately be confirmed, although reports indicated that about 300 shops were affected.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reforms and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services, Morof Akinwande, confirmed the incident.
Akinwande said the fire started in the middle of the market and was accompanied by an explosion.
According to him, authorities were yet to determine whether the explosion was caused by gas or another source.
He said the fire had been brought under control as of about 1am, while efforts continued to assess the extent of the damage.
“Yes, it occurred. That number we cannot ascertain, but what is known is that some shops were destroyed and the fire incident started in the middle of the market with an explosion,” he said.
He added that the cause of the explosion remained under investigation.
Another Ibadan Market Fire
The latest incident comes just days after another fire outbreak was reported at the Nigerian Railway shopping complex along Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The fire, which occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, reportedly destroyed nine locked-up shops at the shopping complex.
The incident was said to have started around 5am, damaging the affected shops before firefighters were alerted.
The two incidents have renewed concerns over fire safety in markets and commercial centres across Ibadan, particularly the need for effective emergency response systems and preventive measures to protect traders and their businesses.
