Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A massive fire outbreak at a plastic warehouse in the Old Garage area of Osogbo, Osun State, sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky on Sunday, triggering widespread panic among residents and traders as emergency responders battled for hours to contain the inferno. The blaze, which began around 2 p.m. on June 7, 2026, engulfed Iyanu Plastic, a popular store used for storing plastic containers located dangerously close to a filling station and the Dugbe Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, raising fears of a potential explosion. Despite the frantic efforts of firefighters, the fire continued to rage for at least six hours, with officials still battling to fully extinguish the flames as night fell.
The strategic location of the warehouse heightened anxiety among residents and business owners, many of whom watched helplessly as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings. The inferno occurred near two petrol stations, sending waves of terror through residents who feared a catastrophic explosion. A petty trader operating near the warehouse, Modupe Olatoye, said smoke was first noticed billowing from the storey building around 2 p.m. "We saw smoke coming from the building at about 2 p.m. and immediately alerted the Oke Fia Fire Station in Osogbo. The firefighters responded promptly and have been battling the fire ever since. The warehouse is surrounded by other buildings and is very close to a filling station. People are worried because of the possibility of the fire spreading, but the firefighters are doing everything possible to contain it," Olatoye said.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle, who spoke at the scene, confirmed that five fire trucks had been deployed to combat the blaze, adding that the fire destroyed all the plastics and was difficult to control because the materials were highly flammable. "We are focused on preventing the fire from escalating. About five fire trucks are on the ground. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. The incident was reported to us around 2 p.m. A full investigation will commence after the fire has been completely extinguished," Adekunle said. The Assistant Director Operations of the Osun Fire Service told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that officials were able to subdue the fire, but not before property worth millions of naira was destroyed. He noted that no fatality was recorded in the incident.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at the time of this report. However, the incident has reignited concerns about fire safety in densely populated commercial areas across Osun State. Officials from the Federal Fire Service and the Osun State Fire Service were on the ground working to contain the inferno, but as of 8 p.m., the flames had yet to be fully quenched. Residents in the surrounding area have been urged to stay clear of the scene to allow emergency responders to operate without obstruction.
The fire has drawn the attention of government officials. Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed sympathy to the family of Engr. Fidudusola, the owner of the affected business, describing the incident as painful and unfortunate. In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor assured the affected family of the state government's solidarity during the difficult period and noted that the state government would explore available avenues to provide support to the victims within its capacity. Governor Adeleke also praised the prompt intervention of the Osun State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, and other emergency responders whose efforts helped contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings and businesses. The governor further commended residents, community leaders, and volunteers who joined efforts to assist emergency personnel, describing their actions as a reflection of the unity and resilience of the people of Osun State. He urged residents across the state to observe fire safety measures, particularly in the handling of electrical appliances and flammable materials.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of fire disasters in Osun State. Between January and December 2025, property worth N5.42 billion was lost to fire outbreaks in Osun, according to statistics released by the Osun Fire Service, which recorded 101 fire disasters during that period. In January 2025, a major fire incident destroyed goods worth millions of naira at Akinola Market, a weekly marketplace in Ipetumodu, Osun State. The fire reportedly broke out late in the evening after traders had closed for the day, and the affected section of the market was said to be used for storing tubers of yam. The cause of that incident was also never immediately established.
As of the time of filing this report, no casualty had been confirmed, and the full extent of property damage could not be immediately determined. The fire had not been completely extinguished, and residents remained on edge throughout the night. The Osun State Fire Service has yet to announce any new developments. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and rapid emergency response systems across Nigeria's densely populated urban commercial centres.
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