A swift response from fire fighters in Oyo State prevented greater disaster as two separate fires destroyed property estimated to be worth millions of naira over the weekend. The incidents, which occurred in Ibadan and Oyo town, were both attributed to negligence.
Ilaji Resort Lounge Gutted by Electrical Fault
The first fire broke out on Sunday morning at the popular Ilaji Farm and Resort, located in the Akanran area of Ibadan. The inferno completely engulfed a three-bedroom flat that had been converted into a lounge within the hotel premises.
Hon. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, the Special Adviser to the Governor and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency (OYSFA), confirmed the details. He stated that personnel from his agency, with support from the Federal Fire Service, launched a coordinated attack on the blaze upon arrival.
Their prompt action successfully contained the fire, stopping it from spreading to other buildings on the property. A preliminary investigation revealed the cause. "The incident was caused by an unattended electrical appliance that ignited nearby combustibles and set the building ablaze," Akinwande explained.
Ancient Building in Oyo Town Ravaged
In a separate incident on Saturday, a residential building in the historic town of Oyo was also consumed by flames. The fire occurred at a structure beside the Alabebe Food Canteen, near Akesan Market.
The affected property was described as an ancient building comprising seven rooms. Fire service teams, upon arrival, found the structure fully alight. They managed to subdue the flames and prevent them from reaching adjoining shops in front of the building.
While no lives were lost in either emergency, the financial toll was significant. Properties worth millions of naira were affected in the Oyo town blaze. The suspected cause here differed from the Ibadan incident. Authorities believe negligence involving the use of mosquito coils in one of the rooms sparked the fire.
Appreciation for Swift Response and Modern Equipment
Residents in both locations commended the rapid intervention of the state's fire service. Akinwande highlighted that the effective operation was made possible by the state-of-the-art equipment provided by the administration of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
The back-to-back incidents serve as a critical reminder for the public. The Oyo State Fire Service urges residents to exercise extreme caution with potential fire sources, especially electrical appliances and open flames like mosquito coils, to prevent future tragedies.
