A fire incident in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been reported to have destroyed property worth hundreds of millions of naira around the Lagere area of the ancient town.

The fire, which started at Poplat filling station in the popular Lagere area of the town on Wednesday, spread to other properties surrounding the station, including a student hostel, a shopping complex, and a commercial bank.

While no casualties were recorded, properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed, and some people sustained various degrees of injuries.

Explaining the reason behind the spread on Wednesday, Osun Fire Service spokesperson Adekunle Ibrahim disclosed that a 5-tonne gas cylinder behind the filling station exploded when the fire incident started.

The explosion, according to Adekunle, wreaked havoc on adjoining properties around the station, which include a shopping complex, a commercial bank, and other corporate offices.

“The cause of the fire cannot be ascertained, as at the time of this report, the team of fire investigators led by the Director of Fire Service, Mr Olubunmi Oyelami, went to the scene of the incident today, January 10, 2024 (Wednesday), for an on-the-spot assessment of the level of damage done by the inferno as well as the cause of the fire.

“It was however discovered that an explosion occurred with a gas cylinder of about 5 tonnes capacity sited behind the station house of the popular petrol station, and the bang from the explosion caused havoc to all adjoining developments around the station, such as a student hostel, a shopping complex, a commercial bank, and some other cooperate offices.

“The outcome of the investigation to ascertain the main causes of the fire will be made public as soon as the investigation is concluded. A few casualties sustained injuries, but no life was lost.

“Property worth hundreds of millions was destroyed while the filling station was razed by the inferno,” he added.

END.