Less than 48 hours after part of Atakumosa Central Market Ilesha, Osun State, was razed by fire, another market in the town has been gutted by fire.
In the fresh outbreak that occurred in Oke Omiru Sawmill and Plank Market late Wednesday, a branch of Redeemed Church located in the market was razed.
Planks and machines were said to have been destroyed by the fire before firemen could subdue it.
Osun State Police Command while confirming the incident, said it had deployed men in the scene to prevent looting.
The spokesperson for the Command, Folasade Odoro, told our correspondent that a branch of Redeemed Church and a building belonging to plank sellers association were affected.
She added that planks and machines were also destroyed by the fire that started around 10 pm on Wednesday. Odoro said no life was lost in the inferno.
When contacted, the Administrative Officer of the Osun Fire Service, Fatai Aremu, said the Ilesha Unit of the Command was contacted a few minutes past 10 pm on Wednesday, adding that timely arrival of the men prevented escalation.
He said, “People around Sawmill, Plank Market Oke Omiru, Ilesa called our personnel in Ilesa Fire Station to the scene around 10:11 pm Wednesday. Our men responded quickly.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown, as no one was ready to tell our men the actual cause. The fire also affected a church belonging to the Redeemed Church inside the sawmill.
“The damage would have been enormous if not for the timely arrival of fire officers from the Ilesa Unit, and the back up sent from Okefia Fire Unit, as well as Federal Firemen.
“A Mack Trailer loaded with planks was saved from the inferno. Nevertheless, the loss was still huge because the fire had affected the sawmill substantially before our men were contacted.”
