At least 15 shops were destroyed after fire gutted the popular Oja Tuntun Market in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The inferno was said to have started at about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the market, which has 1,072 shops, 984 stands and 27 warehouses.

The spokesperson of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, said the damage was minimal. However, he could not immediately ascertain the cause of the fire.

Mr Adekunle said, “The fire service’s prompt and efficient response helped save commodities and property valued at over N25 billion.

“The cause of the fire couldn’t be affirmed yet while an investigation is ongoing.

“The service urges the residents of the state to always cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances even before bedtime, as this would help prevent the chances of fire outbreaks in their various homes, marketplaces, and offices and also help them to drastically reduce it.”

Meanwhile, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who later visited the market, sympathised with the victims while applauding the efforts of firefighters in managing the situation.