The fire, which started around 2:00 a.m., razed the market, leaving only a few shops and a filling station. According to eyewitnesses, the fire-fighters, whose station is just opposite the market or some 20 metres away, could not respond. “Unfortunately, the Fire Service based in Oyo and just less than 20 metres to the market could not mobilise to stop the raging fire. “In due course, we will be demanding that Oyo State Government should compensate the traders and rebuild the market, while also enforcing stricter safety standards across the state. According to him: “I received with shock the news of the fire outbreak at Oja Akesan in Oyo Town in the early hours of this morning.

Source: The Guardian January 06, 2020 04:30 UTC