Tragedy strikes Ibadan as fire claims three lives


A tragic fire incident in the early hours of Friday claimed the lives of three family members—a husband, his wife, and their grandson—in the Ori-Eru area of Idikan, Ibadan.

The devastating fire engulfed the upper floor of a residential-storey building, leaving the community in mourning.

According to Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, the fire department received a distress call at 3:46 a.m. from a resident named Hassan. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze.

“On arrival, we met the upper floor of a residential storey building of six rooms fully alight. We swiftly swung into action, and the fire was completely extinguished,” Akinyinka said.

Unfortunately, the fire claimed the lives of the three family members, while five others were rescued alive. Investigations revealed that the family had attempted to keep warm using a naked flame, which likely caused the fire after they fell asleep.

The ground floor of the building and nearby properties were salvaged from the disaster, preventing further loss.

Security personnel, including a police team led by CSP Olaniyan Jibola from Mapo Division and an Amotekun team led by Mr. Gbenga Akinyemi from the North West Division, were present at the scene to maintain order and assist in rescue efforts.