Fire outbreaks in Osun result in N15.3bn property losses
Osun State has recorded a staggering property loss of ¦ 15.3 billion due to fire outbreaks in the past year, according to the annual fire incident report from the Osun State Fire Service.
The report, obtained on Friday in Osogbo, revealed that the agency received a total of 103 fire outbreak calls during the period under review, in addition to 16 non-fire-related emergency calls that were also attended to.
The data highlighted February and December as the months with the highest number of fire incidents, with each recording 20 separate outbreaks. However, the most severe property damage occurred in December, where assets worth ¦ 12.58 billion were destroyed by fire. May was the second-highest month in terms of losses, with five fire incidents resulting in property damage valued at ¦ 1.249 billion.
The report further stated that seven lives were lost to fire outbreaks over the course of the year. One fatality was recorded in September, while December saw a sharp increase, accounting for six deaths.
Reacting to the report, the spokesperson for the Osun State Fire Service, Mr Adekunle Ibrahim, attributed most fire outbreaks to negligence, particularly in the handling of electrical appliances and open flames.
He stated: “Careless handling of electronic devices and electrical appliances in homes, as well as the improper management of naked flames, often serve as catalysts for fire outbreaks.”
Mr Ibrahim noted that the fire service had been actively engaged in awareness campaigns, educating residents, market traders, religious institutions, financial institutions, and business owners on fire prevention and safety measures.
He emphasised: “We have been sensitising people on the importance of fire safety, proper handling of electrical appliances, and necessary steps to take in the event of a fire outbreak.”
The fire service has also intensified its outreach by training hospitality industry professionals, including hoteliers, on fire prevention techniques. Additionally, fire safety inspections have been conducted at banks across the state to assess their preparedness and compliance with safety regulations.
Ibrahim urged residents to adopt fire prevention habits, including unplugging electrical appliances when not in use and switching off power supplies before leaving their homes.
He also issued a cautionary note regarding bush burning, especially during the dry season, as well as the dangers of mishandling open flames in kitchens, which he identified as the primary source of domestic fire outbreaks.
