Ola Akinwunmi
In the early hours of Monday, a devastating fire swept through a four-bedroom flat at No. 1 Happiness Close, Akufo Estate in the Elebu area of Ibadan. The incident, which erupted at approximately 1:13 a.m., sent bewilderment through the local community and spurred a swift response from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency.
Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, the General Manager of the agency, confirmed that a distress call alerted fire crews to the raging inferno. “The moment we received the call, our team was deployed to the scene without delay,” Akinyinka stated.
Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with a private residential building engulfed in flames. However, their prompt and decisive actions prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent structures, averting a potential disaster in the densely populated area.
Investigations into the cause of the blaze have revealed that an overheating solar panel was to blame. Installed on the building, the malfunctioning panel ignited nearby combustible materials, quickly turning the four-bedroom flat into a scene of chaos. Despite the rapid escalation of the fire, heroic efforts by the fire officers ensured that the family residing in the building was successfully rescued, with no casualties reported.
The incident reveals the critical importance of maintaining and monitoring solar installations, especially in residential settings. As local residents grapple with the shock of the event, authorities continue to assess the damage and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
Residents and community leaders are now calling for increased safety audits and the upgrading of fire prevention protocols to safeguard lives and property. For now, the focus remains on supporting the affected family while investigators work to pinpoint further contributing factors to the fire.This early morning ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of accidents and the vital role that timely emergency response plays in mitigating the impact of such disasters.