The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, on Saturday , raised the alarm that hoodlums have broken into some shops at the popular Araromi Spare Parts Market, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan, the state capital.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a massive fire engulfed the market, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira.
Akinyinka explained that despite the ongoing efforts of men and officers of the service to extinguish the fire, the hoodlums have subjected them to embarrassment and harassment.
He said, “Hoodlums have broken into shops at Araromi Agodi-Gate, and they are embarrassing and harassing men and officer of Fire Service.”
The blaze reportedly started around 2am on Saturday and continues to rage, with firefighters still battling to contain it.
Confirming the incident earlier to PUNCH Online on Saturday morning, the General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, said: “We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation.”
The cause of the fire remains unclear as investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, a tragic fire incident, on Friday, claimed the lives of a husband, his wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of Ibadan, Oyo State, affecting a storey building, at 3.46am.
Earlier this week, a disastrous fire again wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops while the prompt arrival of the state fire services saved 13 others.
Last Friday, fire engulfed a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, reportedly trapping several worshippers inside during a vigil.
The incident occurred at about 9.30pm at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area, PUNCH Online reports on Saturday morning.
(PUNCH)