The incident occurred on Monday, with preliminary findings suggesting that the fire started in one shop before spreading to neighbouring shops.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Services Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Ibadan.
Akinwande expressed concern over the extent of the damage, attributing the outbreak to a suspected electrical fault.
He, however, said the prompt response of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.
The statement read, “The firefighting crew, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Bamidele, promptly mobilised and responded to the scene. On arrival, the crew discovered that 15 out of a row of 44 shops had been engulfed by flames, with thick smoke billowing from the affected premises.
“The firefighters immediately commenced firefighting operations and successfully brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading beyond where the fire was met.”
The agency added that the suspected cause of the incident was an electrical surge resulting from faulty wiring.
To prevent similar incidents, Akinwande urged traders, business owners and residents to install and maintain functional fire extinguishers in their shops, commercial buildings and homes.
He also advised the public to observe proper fire safety measures to enable them to contain outbreaks before they spread and cause extensive damage.