Fear gripped residents and traders around the Old Garage area of Osogbo, Osun State, on Sunday after a major fire outbreak razed a store used for keeping plastic containers close to a filling station.
The inferno, which reportedly started around 2pm, triggered panic among people in the area due to the strategic location of the affected building near a fuel station and the Dugbe Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
When journalists visited the scene around 7:10pm, operatives of the Osun State Fire Service were still making efforts to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading to adjoining buildings.
Eyewitnesses said thick smoke was first noticed billowing from the storey building in the afternoon before the fire escalated rapidly.
A petty trader operating close to the scene, Modupe Olatoye, said residents immediately alerted firefighters after discovering the smoke.
“We noticed smoke coming from the building around 2pm and quickly contacted the Oke Fia Fire Station in Osogbo,” she said.
“The firefighters responded promptly and have been working tirelessly since then. The store is surrounded by other buildings and is also close to a filling station, which is why people are very worried.
“There is serious panic because of fears that the fire may spread further, but the firemen are doing everything possible to stop that from happening.”
The proximity of the burning structure to highly sensitive facilities heightened anxiety among residents and business owners in the area as many watched helplessly while emergency responders battled the raging flames.
Speaking at the scene, the spokesperson for the Osun State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle, confirmed that five fire trucks had been deployed to tackle the incident.
“We are still battling to prevent escalation of the fire. About five fire trucks are currently involved in the operation,” Adekunle said.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown for now. We received distress calls concerning the incident around 2pm. Proper investigation will commence after the fire has been completely extinguished.”
No casualty had been confirmed as of the time of filing this report, while the extent of property damage could not immediately be determined.
The latest incident has again raised concerns about fire safety in densely populated commercial areas across Osun State.
In January 2025, a major fire incident destroyed goods worth millions of naira at a weekly market in Ipetumodu, Osun State.
The fire reportedly broke out late in the evening after traders had closed for the day.
The affected section of the market was said to be used for storing tubers of yam, although the cause of that incident was never immediately established.
