A devastating fire incident in the early hours of Wednesday razed five shops in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, leaving behind a trail of destruction worth millions of naira.
The incident occurred near the Olowo-Ifon Shopping Complex at Orita Challenge. Out of the eleven shops affected, five were completely consumed by the blaze while others were partially salvaged.
Confirming the incident in a statement, Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the agency received a distress call at about 2:24 am on Wednesday.
He explained that an electric surge was suspected to have triggered the fire.
He said, “On Wednesday 9th July, 2025, at exactly 02:24hrs, the incident was reported through telephone call. The agency’s personnel led by CFS Adesina Olusoji promptly mobilized to the scene of incident and on arrival, we met shops engulfed by fire.
“We quickly swung into action and restricted the fire from spreading to unaffected nearby shops and the nearby shopping complex. The fire was completely extinguished and fire safety advice was given to the public on how to prevent fire incident.
“The fire affected five(5) out of eleven (11) shops and the agency’s personnel were able to save properties worth of millions naira. The fire incident was traced to be electric surge ignited nearby combustibles and set the shops ablaze.”
Although no lives were lost, traders are counting their losses as goods, equipment, and property worth millions went up in flames.
Authorities have urged residents and shop owners to adhere to fire safety measures to avoid similar tragedies.