Oyo fires: Millions lost as blaze guts health centre and plastic factory

Two separate fire incidents have destroyed properties worth millions of naira in Oyo State, with solar power systems identified as the suspected cause in both cases.

The first outbreak occurred on Saturday evening at a primary healthcare centre in Masifa, Idi Araba, Ogbomoso. According to officials, the fire started in the solar panel room, but firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to other sections of the facility.

“No casualty was recorded, and properties worth millions of naira were saved,” said Maroof Akinwande, Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service. He added that the blaze may have been triggered by overheated solar batteries connected to electrical appliances.

A second incident was reported on Sunday at a plastic factory near the General Hospital in Saki. The factory’s solar system caught fire, damaging parts of the facility and some stored plastic materials.

Firefighters at the Saki station responded swiftly and curtailed the spread, preventing what could have been a larger disaster.

“The fire was traced to an electrical fault from the solar system. While the blaze slightly affected plastics and equipment, our team saved properties worth billions of naira,” Akinwande confirmed.

Both incidents highlight growing concerns about fire hazards linked to solar power installations in residential and industrial facilities across the state.