…As Oyo Fire Service saves 16 shops

 

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency on Saturday prevented a shop fire from spreading to 16 adjoining shops at the Alhaji Moba Complex, Gbagi Abattoir area, opposite the Bola Ige International Market, Ibadan.

The agency said the fire, which was reported at about 3:41 p.m., affected one of 17 prefabricated lock-up shops at the complex.

According to a statement by the agency, firefighters led by an Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) promptly responded to the distress call and commenced firefighting operations on arrival at the scene.

It said the fire was completely extinguished within a short period, preventing it from spreading to the adjoining shops and saving properties worth millions of naira.

“No casualty was recorded,” the agency stated.

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

Following the incident, the agency’s officers delivered a fire safety lecture to members of the public.

Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Ola Elizabeth urged residents to promptly contact the Fire Service whenever a fire emergency occurred to enable firefighters to respond swiftly.

The Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Dr. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and fire-conscious.

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

He said fire extinguishers could help occupants suppress fires at the initial stage before they escalate.

The agency said its firefighting appliance returned safely to the station at 4:42 p.m. and remained on operational standby.

It also urged members of the public to report fire incidents promptly and provide accurate addresses to facilitate rapid response.