Two fires broke out in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday night and Friday morning, causing significant damage to two residential buildings. The first fire started around 9:10 pm on Thursday behind St. Stephen Church, Inalende, in Ibadan North West Local Government Area. The second incident occurred at 11:25 am on Friday at No. 27, Babalola House, Igbalajobi Street, Agbowo, in Ibadan North Local Government Area.
In both incidents, six rooms on the upper floors of the buildings were destroyed. Though there were no casualties, the fires resulted in millions of naira worth of property damage.
Eyewitnesses suggest the fire in Inalende may have been caused by a power surge. One resident said, “The fire started around 9:10 pm, and it looks like a power surge caused it. Six rooms were badly affected, but we’re grateful the firefighters arrived quickly; it could have been worse.”
At Agbowo, the fire had already engulfed the upper floor when firefighters arrived. According to a fire service official, the fire was reported at 11:43 am. “By the time we got there, the upper floor was already in flames. We acted fast to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to the lower floors and neighboring properties,” the official explained. “We managed to extinguish the fire and also gave a brief lecture on fire prevention, especially during this dry harmattan season.”
Yemi Akinyinka, the General Manager of the Fire Service, confirmed the incidents and praised the quick response of his team. He said, “Our team acted swiftly on both occasions, and though six rooms were damaged, no lives were lost. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, but thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, properties worth billions were saved.”
