Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident that ravaged a residential building in Oje market, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday.

According to reports, the fire affected the upper floor of a storey building located within the market area. Fire service personnel responded promptly after receiving an emergency call at 14:00 hours through the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Control room.

Maroof Akinwande, Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that no casualties were recorded. He explained that fire personnel led by ACFS Adekola were immediately deployed to the scene upon receiving the distress call.

"On arrival, we met the upper floor of a storey residential building located inside Oje market engulfed by fire and the men of the fire service quickly curtailed the fire and restricted it from spreading to the first floor of the building, surrounding shops as well as other properties," Akinwande stated.

The fire service chairman revealed that the incident was caused by sparks from a radio system that was left plugged in when not in use, which subsequently ignited nearby combustible materials.

While the upper floor of the building sustained significant damage, the fire service personnel successfully prevented the fire from spreading further, saving properties worth billions of naira in the market.

Akinwande urged the public to understand that fire outbreaks are not seasonal occurrences but can happen at any time when the three factors of fire – heat, fuel, and oxygen – are sufficiently combined.

"Therefore, fire prevention is the business of everybody. Let us keep our communities safe from fire disaster through consciousness," he advised.

Residents and business owners in the area have been advised to remain vigilant and adopt proper safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.