The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has rescued a six-month-old baby from a burning residential building in Ogbomoso, averting what officials described as a potentially tragic incident.
The fire outbreak occurred at about 8:38 p.m. on Saturday at Olomi’s Compound, Ogbomoso, following a distress call placed by a resident, Mr. Abiodun Mayowa, to the Ogbomoso Zonal Command of the agency.
Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they found the ground floor of a private one-storey building comprising three rooms engulfed in flames.
The emergency response team swiftly brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to the upper floor of the building and adjoining properties.
The agency confirmed that a six-month-old baby was successfully rescued from the burning structure without loss of life. Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by an unattended gas leak.
Following the rescue operation, the Officer-in-Charge conducted a fire safety awareness session for the occupants and residents of the area, educating them on preventive measures against fire outbreaks.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser and Chairman on Fire Services Reform, Dr. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, urged residents to adhere strictly to basic fire safety practices, particularly by ensuring the proper installation, routine inspection and regular maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and other gas appliances.
He also advised homeowners, business operators and institutions to equip their buildings with appropriate fire extinguishers to improve emergency preparedness and reduce the risk of fire disasters.
Akinwande further appealed to members of the public to promptly report fire emergencies and provide accurate location details to enable firefighters to respond quickly and minimise damage to lives and property.
