A fire late Friday night destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira at a shopping complex in the Saki Garage area of Ibadan. The blaze, which affected four of the eleven shops in the complex, caused significant damage, but fortunately, no one was hurt.
Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, confirmed the incident. He said a concerned citizen, Lateef from the Amotekun Bodija Division, raised the alarm after he saw the shops on fire. A team of fire personnel, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) Mrs. Adedeji, responded promptly. Upon their arrival, four of the eleven shops were already engulfed in flames. “Our officers acted swiftly and successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other shops and nearby structures,” Akinwande said.
Investigations and Fire Safety Advice
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have started from smoldering embers that someone left unattended after the shops closed. The embers then ignited nearby flammable materials. Although four shops were severely damaged, Akinwande noted that the fire service’s quick response helped save property worth millions of naira. He urged business owners and residents to prioritize fire safety, advising them to keep emergency numbers accessible and install fire extinguishers in their homes and businesses. “Fire safety must be taken seriously. Preventive measures can save lives and property,” he said.
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