An early morning fire on Sunday caused significant damage in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, destroying three shops near the Dugbe area. However, the swift intervention of the Oyo State Fire Service helped to prevent the fire from spreading to 13 other shops, averting a larger disaster.
The fire reportedly started just after midnight behind a branch of First City Monument Bank in Dugbe. Investigations suggest the blaze may have been caused by the burning of refuse left unattended by local residents. While no lives were lost, the fire consumed goods and property valued at millions of naira, leaving shop owners in distress.
This incident is the latest in a series of fires that have plagued Ibadan in December 2024. Earlier this month, Moniya Market was devastated by a fire that razed 17 shops. Additionally, a Christ Apostolic Church in Wisdom Estate also suffered a fire outbreak, causing significant damage.
The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident. “Our agency received the information at exactly 00:25 hrs on Sunday,” he said. Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze before it spread further.
While speaking on the cause of the fire, Akinyinka noted, “Three shops were destroyed, but 13 shops and other properties were saved by the swift intervention of our officers.” He cautioned against indiscriminate burning of refuse and bushes, particularly during the harmattan season, emphasizing the need for better fire prevention practices in communities.
