Fire Destroys Six Shops in Ogbomoso, Millions Lost in Property Damage

A devastating fire swept through the Ile-Ewe, Sawmill area of Ogbomoso in Oyo State on Thursday, destroying six out of ten locked-up shops and leaving behind property damage estimated in the millions of naira.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the fire broke out in the early afternoon and quickly consumed multiple shops before firefighters arrived to contain the blaze. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed the incident in a statement released Friday in Ibadan.

The agency’s chairman, Mr. Maroof Akinwande, disclosed that a distress call was received at exactly 2:08 p.m. from a local resident, Mr. David Ajagbe. Firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent Dairo were dispatched promptly to the scene.

“Upon arrival, six of the ten locked-up shops were already engulfed in flames,” Akinwande said. “Our team quickly deployed equipment and worked efficiently to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties.”

Thanks to the timely intervention, the fire service was able to save surrounding structures and additional property. While no lives were lost and no injuries reported, the affected shop owners suffered significant losses in goods and equipment.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this time. The Oyo State Fire Services urged the public to observe fire safety protocols, especially in commercial areas, to prevent future incidents.

The incident has left affected traders in distress, with community members calling for better emergency preparedness and infrastructure to reduce fire disasters in the region.

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