•Oyo State Fire Services Agency (OYSFA)
Operatives of the Oyo State Fire Service on Friday evening rescued a 65-year-old woman from a raging inferno that gutted part of a residential building in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident occurred at a compound beside a primary healthcare centre in the Elekuro area of the city, causing panic among residents and destroying properties estimated to be worth millions of naira.
Confirming the development in a statement made available to journalists yesterday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Maroof Akinwande, said the fire outbreak started in the boys’ quarters of an ancient six-room residential building.
According to him, the fire engulfed the second room in the boys’ quarters before spreading rapidly, threatening other parts of the building and neighbouring structures.
Akinwande explained that the agency received a distress call shortly after the incident began and immediately deployed its officers and firefighting equipment to the scene.
“Our personnel responded promptly and swung into action on arrival. They were able to contain and restrict the fire from spreading to other rooms and the main building,” he said.
He added that during the rescue operation, a woman aged about 65 years was found trapped in the affected area and had sustained severe injuries as a result of excessive smoke inhalation.
The victim was promptly rescued by the firefighters and rushed to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Although no life was lost in the incident, Akinwande noted that the inferno destroyed several household items and valuables, including furniture, electrical appliances, and personal belongings.
He described the timely intervention of the fire service as crucial in preventing a more devastating outcome, given the building’s proximity to a healthcare facility and other residential structures.
Residents of the area, who spoke to journalists, commended the swift response of the fire service personnel, saying their professionalism and dedication helped to save lives and prevent further losses.
Some witnesses said the fire started suddenly, causing confusion and fear among the building’s occupants, many of whom struggled to salvage their belongings.
The cause of the fire, however, had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report. Akinwande said investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of the outbreak.
He urged residents to always observe safety precautions, particularly when using electrical appliances and cooking equipment, to prevent avoidable fire incidents.
The fire service boss also advised members of the public to promptly report fire outbreaks and emergencies to relevant authorities to enable quick response and minimise damage.
