A fire outbreak on Saturday afternoon gutted part of a private residential building at No. 18 Idi Oro Road (A), Sode area along Ajibode in Ibadan, prompting a swift response from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency. The incident, which occurred on April 4, 2026, was reported at exactly 2:39 p.m. through a distress call.
According to the agency, the emergency alert was received via telephone by an official identified as Mr. Damilare, who promptly relayed information about the burning building. Firefighters, led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Adesina, were immediately mobilized to the scene to contain the situation.
Upon arrival, the firemen encountered a four-bedroom residential building engulfed in flames and thick smoke. Acting swiftly, the team launched a coordinated firefighting operation, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and minimizing further damage to surrounding properties.
In the course of the rescue operation, nine occupants were safely evacuated from the building. The victims were immediately transported to Oyo Mesi Specialist Hospital for medical attention following exposure to smoke and other related injuries.
Preliminary findings by the fire service revealed that the blaze was caused by an unattended cooking gas, highlighting the dangers associated with negligence in handling domestic appliances. The agency confirmed that the firefighting operation was concluded successfully, with the fire truck returning to the station by 4:50 p.m. and placed on standby.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Service Reform and Chairman of the Agency, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, urged residents to exercise caution while using gas cookers. He emphasized the need for constant vigilance in the kitchen and recommended that households and commercial buildings install functional fire extinguishers to curb fire outbreaks at early stages. He also encouraged the public to promptly report emergencies using the agency’s dedicated lines.
