Fire razes eight shops in Ibadan, no casualty recorded

No fewer than eight shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak at Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street, Oju-Odo Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency said the blaze affected eight out of 11 shops in a row before it was brought under control by firefighters.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan.

Akinwande said: “Oyo State Fire Services Agency dosed shops on Fire at No 2, Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street, Oju-Odo Academy, Ibadan. At exactly 02:33 hrs on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 through telephone call and Mr Idris to shop on fire at the above address.”

According to him, fire personnel led by PFS11 Ojo responded immediately after receiving the distress call.

He said: “The fire personnel led by PFS11 Ojo promptly mobilized to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that eight out of a row of 11 shops were severely affected by the fire.

“The fire was swiftly contained, preventing further spread to the remaining shops and nearby properties.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“No casualty was recorded. Appliance returned to the station safely by 04:29hrs and on operational standby.”

Akinwande urged residents and business owners to take fire safety measures seriously, stressing the need for fire extinguishers in commercial buildings to tackle outbreaks before they escalate.

An eyewitness, Bukola Ogundeji, said the cause of the fire had yet to be established.

Ogundeji said: “I am not a shop owner there. I only came for a visit, but the incident started around 12:30 pm. We are yet to ascertain the root cause of the fire incident.”

The latest incident adds to a series of fire outbreaks recorded in Oyo State in recent months.

In September 2025, a fire destroyed 14 shops at Ogundipe Market in Ibadan North Local Government Area, while another blaze in December 2025 razed eight shops beside the Sango Police Divisional Headquarters in the same local government area.