One Dead, Two Rescued in Oyo Fire
By Wellington Jopelo
Not fewer than one person has died and two others rescued after a late-night fire broke out inside a residential building at Agbaakin Street, behind Testing Ground, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
The Oyo State Fire Service said the incident was caused by a burning charcoal pot that was left unattended, which later ignited nearby items and spread through the upper floor of the building.
The Chairman of the service, Maroof Akinwande, explained that the fire call came in at exactly 8:18 p.m., and firefighters rushed to the scene where two rooms in the 12-room house were already engulfed. He said one female victim was recovered, while two male occupants were rescued alive during the operation.
According to him, the response was carried out alongside officers of the Federal Fire Service, and their combined effort prevented the fire from spreading to the remaining rooms. He noted that valuables worth millions of naira were saved. “One person (female) was recovered, while two persons (males) were rescued alive,” he stated.
In another development, a separate fire incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the Agric Business Development Agency located at Total Garden in Ibadan.
Akinwande said the emergency was reported at 9:20 a.m., and firefighters led by ACFS Oyeniyi Taofeek immediately moved to the location. On arrival, they discovered that the fire was triggered by electrical sparks from a solar inverter control system installed on the upper floor.
The officers used portable fire extinguishers to battle the flames, stopping the situation from developing into a major outbreak. No injuries were recorded, and most of the building and equipment were preserved.
The Fire Service Chairman urged residents to avoid unsafe electrical installations, use proper materials, and ensure that cooking or heating devices are never left unattended to reduce fire risks.