Two separate fire incidents have destroyed properties worth millions of naira in Oyo State, affecting a primary healthcare centre in Ogbomoso and a plastic industry in Saki.

The fires, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday, were both linked to electrical faults from solar power systems, according to the Oyo State Fire Service.

Naijaonpoint learnt that the Ogbomoso Healthcare Centre fire incident happened on Saturday evening at a healthcare centre in Masifa, Idi Araba, Ogbomoso, where the solar panel room was engulfed by flames.

Witnesses who spoke to Daily Post said properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the blaze, though no lives were lost.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the agency received a distress call at exactly 8:55 pm.

“On getting there, it was a solar panel room of the healthcare centre engulfed by fire. Our officers swiftly swung into action, and the fire was restricted from spreading to other parts of the building and properties. No casualty was recorded, and properties worth millions of naira were saved.

“The fire incident could be as a result of heated solar power batteries, ignited from plugged electrical gadgets,” he explained.

Saki Plastic Factory Fire

Barely hours later, another fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at a plastic industry located near the General Hospital area of Saki.

The fire, which started in the factory’s store, reportedly damaged the solar power system and plastic materials worth millions of naira before it was brought under control.

Akinwande confirmed that the fire service received the distress call at 12:50 pm and quickly responded.

“Upon arrival at the scene, we discovered that the solar power system installed in the store was engulfed by fire. We quickly swung into action and curtailed the fire from spreading to other sections of the factory.

“No casualty was recorded. The fire slightly affected the solar system and nearby plastics. Fire Service was able to save properties worth billions of naira. The fire was as a result of electrical faults from the solar power system,” he stated.

In both incidents, firefighters were praised for their rapid intervention, which prevented the flames from spreading and saved properties valued at billions of naira.

The Oyo Fire Service has since urged residents and business owners to ensure regular checks of their solar installations and electrical appliances to avoid similar disasters.