Eight Shops Destroyed as Fire Guts Commercial Complex in Ibadan

No fewer than eight shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak that occurred at Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street, Oju-Odo Academy area of Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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

According to him, the agency received a distress call at about 2:33 a.m. reporting a fire outbreak at a row of shops located at No. 2, Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street.

Firefighters, led by Principal Fire Superintendent Ojo, were immediately deployed to the scene to combat the blaze.

Akinwande said that upon arrival, emergency responders discovered that eight out of the 11 shops had already been severely affected by the fire.

He noted that the prompt intervention of fire personnel helped contain the blaze and prevented it from spreading to the remaining three shops and nearby properties.

“The fire was swiftly contained, preventing further spread to the remaining shops and adjoining buildings,” he said.

No casualty was recorded during the incident, while firefighters successfully brought the situation under control before returning to the station.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, as investigations are ongoing.

Akinwande advised residents and business owners to adopt fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers in commercial buildings, to help prevent and manage fire outbreaks at an early stage.

The latest incident adds to a series of fire outbreaks recorded in Ibadan in recent months. In September 2025, a fire destroyed 14 shops at Ogundipe Market, while another blaze in December 2025 razed eight shops near the Sango Police Divisional Headquarters.

An eyewitness, Bukola Ogundeji, said efforts were ongoing to determine the cause of the latest fire outbreak.

“We are yet to ascertain what caused the fire,” she said