The Oyo State Fire Services Agency on Saturday responded to two separate fire incidents in Ibadan, preventing one from spreading to 16 adjoining shops and containing another at an eight-room residential building.

The first incident occurred at about 3:41 p.m. at the Alhaji Moba Complex, Gbagi Abattoir area, opposite the Bola Ige International Market, where fire broke out in one of 17 prefabricated lock-up shops.

According to the agency, firefighters led by an Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) responded promptly to the distress call and immediately commenced firefighting operations.

The fire was extinguished within a short period, preventing it from spreading to the 16 adjoining shops and saving properties worth millions of naira. No casualty was recorded.

Preliminary investigation revealed that an unattended cooking gas caught fire and ignited nearby combustible materials, resulting in the blaze.

Later that night, at about 10:53 p.m., the agency received another distress call over a fire at an eight-room residential building at No. 37 Ifesowapo, Atilapa, Ibadan.

Firefighters led by ACFS Amoo arrived at the scene to find the building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing from the property.

The crew immediately commenced firefighting operations and successfully prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings and properties.

No casualty was also recorded in the second incident.

Preliminary investigation similarly attributed the fire to an unattended cooking gas, which ignited nearby combustible materials and subsequently set the building ablaze.

Following both incidents, fire officers conducted safety awareness sessions for residents, traders and other members of the public, urging them to contact the Fire Service promptly whenever a fire emergency occurs and to provide accurate addresses to facilitate swift response.

The Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Dr Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, urged residents and traders to remain vigilant and observe fire safety precautions.

Akinwande advised traders to desist from cooking inside shops and stressed the importance of installing functional fire extinguishers in business premises and homes.

He said fire extinguishers could help occupants suppress fires at their initial stages before they escalate.

Chief Fire Superintendent Ola Elizabeth also urged residents to contact the Fire Service immediately whenever a fire emergency occurs to enable firefighters to respond swiftly.