At least eight shops have been destroyed and goods worth millions of naira lost after a fire outbreak gutted parts of a commercial complex in Oyo, leaving traders counting heavy losses in its aftermath.
The inferno affected a section of the building housing multiple businesses. The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed it responded swiftly to the incident and worked to prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the complex and nearby structures.
The fire reportedly started in one shop yesterday at the commercial complex in Oyo town before spreading to seven others, destroying goods and property along the way.
Confirming the incident, the Head of the Oyo State Fire Service, Oyo Division, Caretaker Chairman, Akinyinka Akinyemi, said emergency responders were able to contain the blaze and prevent further escalation within the market environment.
He added that no lives were lost in the incident, while preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been triggered by an electrical surge.
At the time of this report, the total value of goods and property destroyed is still being assessed by affected shop owners.