A devastating fire erupted in the early hours of Monday, destroying shops and property worth millions of Naira at Moniya Garage, Oja Agbe, Ibadan. The inferno, which caused significant losses, was swiftly addressed by the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, preventing further damage to surrounding areas.
The General Manager of the agency, Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday. According to Akinyinka, the agency received a distress call at 12:27 a.m. from a concerned citizen, Mr. Adelola, reporting the fire. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to combat the blaze.
Upon arrival, the fire service team discovered rows of shops and container units engulfed in flames. The prompt response of the team, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) Oyedeji, successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby shops and properties.
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“No lives were lost in the incident, but the destruction of property worth millions of Naira is a significant loss for the affected traders,” Akinyinka stated.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by unattended electrical appliances left plugged in. This highlights the critical need for vigilance in handling electrical devices and fire hazards.
The General Manager further urged residents of Oyo State to adopt safer practices when dealing with fire and electricity to avoid similar tragedies. “We must all be cautious and ensure that electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use. Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.
