A devastating fire outbreak has destroyed goods at Bode Market in Molete, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, leaving several traders and shop owners in tears as they counted their losses.

According to report, fire incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, when flames suddenly engulfed some shops before spreading rapidly across the market due to the intensity of the inferno.

Eyewitnesses said the fire spread uncontrollably from one section of the market to another, razing hundreds of shops and destroying valuables, food items, household materials and other goods stored inside the affected buildings.

In videos obtained, several shop owners who rushed to the market after hearing about the incident were seen stranded and emotionally devastated as they watched their shops burnt beyond recognition.

Some of the affected traders were seen crying helplessly while trying to salvage whatever remained from the wreckage of the inferno.

The entire section affected by the fire was completely razed due to the gravity of the inferno, with properties and goods reportedly lost in the disaster.

Residents and sympathisers were also seen gathering around the market while efforts were made to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings and shops.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the fire incident had not been officially confirmed, while many of the affected traders appealed to the Oyo State Government and relevant authorities for urgent assistance and support following the massive destruction caused by the outbreak.

The incident has thrown many business owners and families into hardship, as several traders lamented that their entire sources of livelihood were wiped out by the fire.

“Everything is gone. We don’t know where to start from again,” one of the affected traders lamented.