A dawn fire outbreak on Thursday razed parts of an ancient residential building in Oyo town, Oyo State, leaving properties destroyed but no lives lost.
The incident, which occurred around 5:00 a.m. at Olugbile House in the Iyalamu area, was reportedly triggered by a cigarette stub left unattended by one of the occupants.
The burning stub ignited nearby combustible materials, setting two rooms ablaze.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said fire officers acted swiftly to contain the flames before they could spread through the entire building.
“Our men arrived at the scene to meet two rooms engulfed in fire. They quickly swung into action and were able to bring the situation under control,” Akinwande explained.
He added that although household items and properties in the affected rooms were destroyed, the swift intervention saved the building and prevented casualties.
“No life was lost, and we were able to save properties worth millions of naira,” he said.
“We also used the opportunity to sensitise the residents and onlookers on basic fire prevention practices, especially the need to have fire extinguishers in every household.”
Akinwande stressed that negligence—such as careless handling of cigarettes, electrical appliances, and cooking gas—remains a leading cause of fire outbreaks across the state.
“We continue to urge residents to adopt safety measures. Something as simple as properly putting out a cigarette stub can save lives and properties,” he cautioned.
The agency further reminded the public to promptly report fire incidents and provide accurate addresses when calling emergency numbers: 08067439223, 08054353501, or 615.
The Oyo State Fire Service has recorded several fire outbreaks since the beginning of the year, with most cases linked to negligence.
Officials warned that the risk of fire escalates during dry seasons, making early reporting and rapid response vital to preventing widespread damage.