Fire Engulfs OPay Office in Ibadan

Fire Engulfs OPay Office in Ibadan
‎Eyewitnesses said the blaze began suddenly and spread quickly before emergency responders arrived at the scene
The exact cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed

‎A fire outbreak on Tuesday razed parts of an OPay office located along the busy Akala Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying property worth millions of naira and causing panic in the area.

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Eko Hot Blog gathered that the fire which started in the afternoon, sent thick smoke into the sky and drew the attention of residents, motorists and business owners nearby.

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Eyewitnesses said the blaze began suddenly and spread quickly before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

‎Some residents initially thought the smoke was coming from a generator, but soon realised the building was on fire.

Fire Engulfs OPay Office in Ibadan — Fire

‎“As soon as people noticed the smoke, there was shouting and everyone started running. Within minutes, the fire became intense and fear spread across the area,” a witness said.

‎Workers in neighbouring offices reportedly raised the alarm, prompting firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency to respond swiftly. The fire was eventually brought under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings and shops.

‎Security personnel were also deployed to the area to manage the crowd and direct traffic, as movement along the expressway was temporarily disrupted during the operation.

‎Although the exact cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed, authorities said no lives were lost and no serious injuries were recorded, as staff members were able to evacuate the premises before the fire escalated.

‎However, the incident caused significant damage to office equipment, furniture, documents and other valuables. Some staff were later seen trying to recover salvageable items after the blaze was extinguished.

‎Officials of the fire service said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and assess the full extent of the damage. They also assured that necessary safety recommendations would be made to prevent a recurrence.

‎OPay is expected to issue a statement addressing the incident and outlining measures to ensure uninterrupted services for customers in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State.

‎Meanwhile, residents and business owners in the area have called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations and regular inspection of commercial buildings, especially along major roads.