A devastating fire has destroyed property worth millions of naira in the Tollgate area along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, January 3, 2025, and affected no fewer than four shops.
According to sources, the fire caused extensive damage to goods and materials stored in the shops, but fortunately, no lives were lost. The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident and provided further details.
Akinyinka explained that the fire was reported to the fire service at approximately 5:50 AM. Upon investigation, it was determined that the blaze started due to a naked flame that had been left unattended by a woman cooking in one of the affected shops. The fire spread quickly, damaging the four shops, but the quick response from the fire service prevented further destruction, saving multiple shops from being engulfed in flames.
Although the damage to property amounted to millions of naira, the fire service managed to protect materials worth billions, preventing even greater loss. No lives were lost in the incident, but the destruction serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and vigilance.