Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed as a result of a fire that ravaged a school hall in Oyo State.
The incident occurred at the Deeper Life campus ground, Sogunro, along the Ibadan/Oyo Expressway in Ibadan.
As gathered, the incident happened on Sunday at the campus hall, which was being used as a store and kitchen.
Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the incident. Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident.
Akinwande, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, said a gas leakage in the kitchen caused the fire.
He noted that a team of policemen from the Moniya Division was on hand to provide security for the firefighters during the operation.
“Upon arrival, it was a campus hall used as a store and kitchen engulfed by fire. Our officers swiftly swung into action and contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other buildings on campus.
“The fire was successfully extinguished, and a fire prevention lecture was delivered by the officer in charge. No casualty was recorded. The root cause of the fire incident was a gas leakage in the kitchen.
“ACFO Operations, Engr. Olaojo, and a team of policemen from the Moniya Division were in attendance for safety and security cover during the operation.”
The Guardian also reported tha a fire outbreak on Friday evening destroyed the upper floor of a duplex on Hazmat Street, Kuola, off Akala Expressway, Ibadan, the Oyo State Fire Services Agency has confirmed.
The incident, which occurred around 6:50 pm, was reported by a resident, Mr. Abegunde, who alerted officials to the inferno consuming the residential building.
Responding swiftly, the State Fire Service team, led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Mrs. Adedeji, arrived at the scene to find the upper floor of the duplex and adjoining two-bedroom flats engulfed in flames.
According to the agency, firefighters successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the ground floor and nearby structures.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with personnel from the Federal Fire Service and Sweetco Fire Service.
A team of policemen from the Kuola Division also provided security during the operation.
The Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Hon. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.
He attributed the cause of the fire to a lighted mosquito coil left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials.
Akinwande advised residents to maintain high fire safety awareness and install fire extinguishers in their homes to control small fires before they escalate.
“We urge residents to be cautious with fire sources and to install fire extinguishers in every household. Timely response and proper safety measures can prevent avoidable losses,” he said.
The firefighting operation was completed successfully, with all fire trucks returning to base by 9:23 p.m.
The agency further urged the public to report fire incidents promptly and provide accurate addresses when calling the emergency lines: 08067439223, 08054353501, or the toll-free number 615.
