Fire razes six shops in Ibadan police barracks

A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning, razing six shops at the Police Barracks located in the Omolewa area of Yemetu, Ibadan. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., caused significant damage to properties and disrupted the livelihoods of several traders operating in the affected lock-up shops.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while no lives were lost and no injuries were reported, six out of the 24 shops within the barracks complex were completely gutted by the fire. The inferno left behind charred debris, collapsed roofs, and burned merchandise, leaving shop owners counting their losses and expressing concerns over how they would recover from the financial setback.

The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to the press on Saturday. He revealed that the fire service received a distress call at exactly 2:09 a.m. from a resident identified as Mr. S.O. Soyombo. The emergency response team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where firefighters worked diligently to contain and extinguish the flames before they could spread to additional shops or residential quarters in the barracks.

Fire Sparked by Overheated Freezer Overnight

Preliminary investigations conducted by the fire agency identified the cause of the fire as the overheating of a deep freezer that had been plugged in and left running overnight. The appliance, believed to have malfunctioned due to prolonged use and possible electrical faults, caught fire and quickly ignited surrounding materials. Within minutes, the flames spread to nearby shops, fueled by combustible goods stored in the premises.

“This incident was entirely avoidable,” Akinyinka said. “We always emphasize the importance of electrical safety. Appliances, especially those with high power consumption like freezers, must be properly maintained and turned off when not in use, especially at night when no one is around to detect faults quickly.”

He further advised the public to take fire prevention seriously and adopt safe practices, including routine checks of electrical wiring, avoiding overloading sockets, and unplugging appliances before bedtime or during prolonged periods of absence. “Electrical negligence remains one of the leading causes of domestic and commercial fires in Nigeria,” he noted.

In the wake of the fire, affected shop owners gathered around the charred remains of their businesses, expressing shock and frustration. Many lamented that their entire inventories had been destroyed and that they had no insurance coverage to cushion the impact of the loss.

Mrs. Funmilayo Oduola, who ran a provisions store in one of the affected shops, said she had restocked her store just the previous day in anticipation of weekend sales. “I lost everything—drinks, food items, and even cash I left in the shop. It’s heartbreaking,” she said tearfully.

Another trader, Mr. Akeem Lawal, appealed to the Oyo State Government and well-meaning individuals to provide support for those affected by the fire. “This is our only means of survival. We are pleading for assistance to help us get back on our feet,” he said.

Local residents also voiced their concern over the safety conditions within the barracks, particularly with regard to outdated electrical infrastructure and poor emergency preparedness. Some noted that the fire might have been less destructive if there had been more accessible fire extinguishers or early warning systems in place.

The state fire service reiterated its commitment to fire safety education and community outreach. Mr. Akinyinka announced plans to launch a new sensitization campaign targeting residential and commercial areas, including police barracks, markets, and densely populated neighborhoods, to educate residents on best practices in fire prevention and response.

Meanwhile, authorities have begun assessing the extent of damage and documenting losses to determine what support may be available for the victims.

Saturday’s incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance and responsibility in the use of electrical appliances. As the dry season intensifies, fire outbreaks become increasingly common, and experts warn that only strict adherence to safety protocols can prevent further tragedies.