One Dead, Explosion Averted as Oyo Fire Service Tackles Three Emergencies

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has recorded a mix of tragedy and narrowly averted disasters after responding to three separate emergencies across the state between February 26 and 27, 2026, including a fatal well incident, a major petrol tanker collision and a residential fire.

A 27-year-old man has died after reportedly inhaling toxic ammonia fumes while attempting to clear debris from an abandoned well at No. 5, Binukonu Olota, Laogun area of Ibadan.

The agency said it received a distress call at exactly 8:31 a.m. on Thursday, February 26. Firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Adedeji promptly mobilised to the scene.

On arrival, rescue personnel deployed equipment and successfully recovered the victim’s body from the deep well. The remains were subsequently handed over to officers at the Gbagi Police Divisional Headquarters for further investigation.

Officials confirmed that the victim was overwhelmed by ammonia fumes during the cleaning process. The rescue operation concluded at 11:27 a.m., after which the crew returned to base.

Less than 24 hours later, the agency prevented what could have resulted in a catastrophic explosion following a collision between two petrol tankers at Onipe Village, Idi-Ayunre, along the Ibadan axis.

According to the agency, a 45,000-litre DAF trailer tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) reportedly lost control while in motion and rammed into a stationary tanker of similar capacity, leading to a massive fuel spillage.

The distress call was received at 8:54 a.m. on Friday, February 27, and fire crews led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS) Adeniyi responded immediately.

Firefighters launched an articulated foam attack, blanketing the spilled fuel with chemical compounds to suppress vapour ignition and prevent a fire outbreak. No casualties were recorded.

Emergency responders from the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Idi-Ayunre Police Division were also present during the operation.

Properties valued at millions of naira were reportedly saved.

In a separate incident, the agency responded to a residential fire at Alhaji Oloyoyo House, opposite ADS Primary School in the Kaima Kara area of Kishi at about 4:30 a.m. on Friday.

Firefighters led by Assistant Fire Superintendent (AFS) Akande arrived to find a ground-floor room in a four-flat building engulfed in flames. The team swiftly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other apartments and nearby structures.

A 50-year-old man was recovered from the affected room and handed over to the Kishi Divisional Police Headquarters.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered by an unattended candle. Authorities further disclosed that the occupant had returned home around 2:00 a.m. with a keg of petrol, which intensified the inferno.

Only one room was affected, while the rest of the building was protected. Officials estimated that properties worth millions of naira were saved.

The Chairman of the agency, Hon. Dr. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, commended firefighters for their swift response to distress calls and stressed the importance of heightened public safety awareness.

He urged tanker drivers to adhere strictly to road safety regulations, cautioned residents against storing flammable substances in their homes, and advised proper monitoring of candle usage.

He also reiterated the need for the installation of fire extinguishers in vehicles, commercial buildings and residential homes to curb fire outbreaks at early stages.

Residents were encouraged to promptly report emergencies and provide accurate addresses when contacting fire services through the emergency lines: 08067439223, 08054353501, or 615 (toll free).