An early morning fire outbreak ravaged several shops at Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State on Tuesday.
The inferno, an eyewitness accounts said left a devastating loss of property.
Video footage obtained by our source captured the heart-wrenching moment as shop owners mourned their losses.
According to one trader in the video, speculation arose regarding the cause of the fire, with some attributing it to cooking activities rather than electrical faults.
The inferno, which affected at least five shops, was eventually brought under control by the combined efforts of personnel from the Federal Fire Service and Kwara State Fire Service.
While authorities continue to assess the damage, preliminary reports suggest significant losses in terms of goods and property.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined, with varying claims circulating among locals awaiting statements from the fire service.
This recent incident echoes previous fire disasters in the region, including a midnight blaze that razed a residential building and shops, resulting in property losses estimated at N6.5 million.
Additionally, reports from December highlighted two separate incidents in the Tanke area of Ilorin, where a total of 14 shops were destroyed by fire, despite the intervention of the Kwara State Fire Service, which managed to salvage some of the affected properties.