Fire Destroys Four Shops in Ibadan, Millions in Property Lost

A devastating fire outbreak has destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the Ibadan end of the Lagos expressway in the Oluyole Local Government Area on Friday. Four shops were razed, while swift intervention by the Oyo State Fire Services helped prevent further damage to neighboring establishments.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday, saw residents and local businesses scrambling to contain the flames. An eyewitness recalled that thick smoke was visible from a great distance, initially mistaken for a fire in the surrounding bush. However, it was soon realized that shops near Topfeeds had been consumed by the fire.

The residents, though quick to respond, could do little to extinguish the blaze before the fire services arrived. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, but properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

According to a report by Rev. Akinyemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, the fire was reported at 5:50 AM on Friday, January 3, 2025. Firefighters, led by ACFS Adediji, arrived promptly at the scene, where they found four shops fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly contained, and several neighboring shops were saved from being affected by the inferno.

The fire is believed to have been caused by an unattended naked flame left by a woman who was cooking in one of the affected shops. Despite the significant destruction, the fire services’ rapid response helped limit further damage, preserving billions in nearby property.