Fire Guts Garment Workshop in Ibadan, Destroys Goods Worth Millions

An early morning inferno on Saturday gutted a four-bedroom apartment converted into a tailoring workshop in the Eleyele area of Ibadan, leaving in its wake heavy losses running into millions of naira.

The incident occurred around 4:15 a.m. at Benjamin, Alabama Junction, within Ido Local Government Area.

According to officials, the blaze started on the ground floor of the storey building, quickly consuming tailoring machines, fabrics, and other materials stored in the workshop.

Operatives of the Oyo State Fire Service, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Bamidele Samsudeen, were deployed to the scene. Their swift response helped to contain the fire within the building, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring structures.

Chairman of the State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the development, commending the timely effort of his men. He urged residents to be more proactive in reporting fire incidents, stressing that providing accurate addresses is crucial for rapid intervention.

Though no lives were lost, the material damage was extensive. Residents of the area expressed shock at the scale of the destruction, noting that the tailoring factory had been a major source of employment for local youths.

The incident underscores rising concerns about fire safety in Oyo State, particularly the risks associated with converting residential apartments into commercial workshops without adequate safety measures.

Authorities have advised business owners to adopt strict fire prevention practices to avert similar disasters in the future.