What could have been a devastating January tragedy was yesterday afternoon averted in Ibara , Asawo Compound axis of Omida Market, in Abeokuta South Local Government area of Ogun State, as a raging fire was put off by Men of the Ogun state fire service.
The fire was said to have been ignited by a little boy of five years old who lighted a stick of matches while playing with his peers at the backyard of a storey building in Asawo's compound,Omida.
A generator at the backyard turned the fire to a raging one, burning banana trees, orange trees and the store at the backyard to ashes.
All efforts of the residents to quench the fire came to nought as it started spreading to the market extension behind Keystone back.
A shop where groundnut oil, sugar, groundnut cake(kulikuli) and groundnut were being sold was completely razed as the side got affected .
As as 3:20pm when Newslife visited the scene, Operatives of the Ogun State Fire Service were seen packing their instruments after successfully putting off the fire. Some Traffic and Road Enforcement Agency, (Trace) officers were also seen with them.
As as the time of the visit, the backyard , the adjoining fence and the shop were still hot as a result of the intensity of the quenched fire.
According to an eyewitness who craved anonymity, it was the five years old little boy who was playing with matches , which he lighted playfully while the generator was opened that caused the fire outbreak.
" We thanked God that no casualties recorded, but properties and means of survival of a poor woman have been consumed by the fire.
"In this harmattan season, I will implore we parents to further keep eyes on our little ones and hide all materials that can cause havoc of any form away from them.
" The broadcast media should as a matter of urgency intensify enlightenment on fire and other home accidents like we used to hear and see in the past on radio and Television.". The eyewitness concluded.
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