The Oyo State Fire Services Agency on Saturday recorded two major emergency interventions within 24 hours, averting a potentially catastrophic petrol tanker explosion along the Oyo/Ibadan Expressway and successfully containing a fire that engulfed nine shops at the Railway Shopping Complex, Leak Road, Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan.
The first incident occurred at Gold & Rock Area along the Oyo/Ibadan Expressway, where the Agency received a distress call at exactly 3:03 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, reporting a petrol tanker accident.
The call, received through GSM and Mr. Akeem Blessing, a NUPENG representative, prompted the immediate deployment of firefighters led by FO II Yisau Opeyemi.
On arrival, the crew found a trailer tanker with registration number LSR 666 KW (LAGOS), loaded with approximately 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which had veered off the highway into a ditch while the driver attempted to manoeuvre around potholes.
Given the highly volatile nature of the spilled product, firefighters immediately commenced a coordinated emergency operation, applying foam chemical compound over the spilled PMS to suppress flammable vapours and prevent ignition that could have resulted in a devastating explosion.
The swift intervention successfully stabilised the situation, with no casualty recorded.
Preliminary assessment indicated that the accident was caused by the driver’s loss of control while attempting to avoid potholes on the highway. The firefighting appliance returned safely to the station at 10:37 p.m. and remained on operational standby.
Meanwhile, barely hours earlier, the Agency had responded to another emergency at the Railway Shopping Complex, Leak Road, Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan.
The fire, reported at exactly 5:58 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, was said to have started in shops within the complex. The firefighting crew, led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Adesina, promptly mobilised to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that nine locked-up shops among several others in the complex were already engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing from the affected premises.
The crew immediately commenced firefighting operations and called for reinforcement. A second fire truck with a 10,000-litre water capacity was subsequently deployed to strengthen the operation.
Through the combined efforts of the firefighting teams, the raging fire was brought under control and completely extinguished, preventing it from spreading to adjoining shops and properties.
No casualty was recorded in the incident, while preliminary investigation indicated that an electrical surge may have triggered the fire, igniting combustible materials inside the affected shops.
Following the operation, the Officer-in-Charge delivered a fire safety sensitisation lecture to members of the public, urging them to remain vigilant and promptly contact the Fire Service whenever a fire emergency occurs.
Reacting to the two incidents, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Hon. Dr. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, commended the prompt response of the firefighters and urged residents, motorists and business owners to take fire safety precautions seriously.
Akinwande particularly advised motorists to exercise caution on highways and comply strictly with road traffic regulations, noting that avoidable accidents involving tankers carrying petroleum products could have devastating consequences.
He also stressed the importance of installing and maintaining functional fire extinguishers in vehicles, homes and business premises to enable early intervention before fire incidents escalate.
The Chairman further urged members of the public to provide accurate locations when reporting emergencies to enable firefighters to respond promptly.
Members of the public are advised to report fire emergencies through the Oyo State Fire Services Agency emergency lines: 08067439223, 08054353501 or 615 (Toll-Free).
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