Osun State records ₦15.3 billion property loss to fire outbreaks in 2024, 7 deaths reported
Story from Hamzat Ibrahim
Osun State Fire Service has revealed that property worth ₦15,308,651,017 was lost to fire outbreaks across the state between January and December 2024.
The figures were contained in the state fire service’s annual ‘fire incident record,’ reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Osogbo.
According to the data, the fire service responded to 103 fire outbreak calls and attended to 16 additional non-fire-related emergencies.
The report highlighted that February and December recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 20 outbreaks in each month. However, December had the most significant financial loss, with ₦12.580 billion in property destroyed.
May followed, with property worth ₦1.249 billion lost in five separate fire incidents.
The data also showed that seven people lost their lives in fire outbreaks. One fatality was recorded in September, while six deaths occurred in December.
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Speaking on the report, Osun Fire Service Spokesperson, Mr Adekunle Ibrahim, attributed most fire outbreaks to “carelessness.”
He said, “The careless ways people deal with electronics and electrical appliances at home and how they also handle naked fire often serve as catalysts for fire outbreaks.”
He noted that the fire service had continuously sensitised residents, market women, religious groups, banks, and business owners on fire prevention and management.
“We have been sensitising the people and enlightening them to be very careful about how to handle naked fires, steps to take in cases of fire outbreaks, and the need to take care of electrical appliances to prevent fire outbreaks properly,” he said.
Ibrahim added that fire safety awareness had been intensified across the state, including training sessions for hoteliers and business operators.
“We have also been going round banks in the state to inspect their fire safety equipment and also enlighten them on what to do in cases of fire outbreaks,” he stated.
He urged residents to always unplug electrical appliances when not in use and to turn off their electricity supply before leaving their homes.
He further warned against indiscriminate bush burning, particularly during the dry season, and emphasised caution in handling fire in the kitchen, as most domestic fire outbreaks originate from there.
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