The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has attributed a fire outbreak that razed part of a residential building in Ogbomoso to an overloaded solar power installation.

The agency said its personnel from the Ogbomoso Zonal Command swiftly responded to the incident and prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings.

According to a statement issued by the agency, the distress call was received at about 4:59 p.m. on Thursday through a passerby and one Mr. Adeoye Sina, who reported that a house was on fire at Aaje Ologo area of Ogbomoso.

Firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent (CFS) Dairo were immediately mobilised to the scene.

On arrival, the crew discovered that a private three-bedroom flat had been completely engulfed by flames and thick smoke.

The firefighters promptly commenced operations and succeeded in extinguishing the fire within a short period, thereby preventing further damage to neighbouring properties.

The agency confirmed that no casualty was recorded in the incident, while properties worth millions of naira were salvaged through the timely intervention of the firefighters.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated from an overloaded solar power installation mounted on the roof of the building.

Following the operation, fire officers conducted a brief fire safety awareness session for the occupants and sympathisers, educating them on measures to prevent similar incidents.

The statement added that after successfully containing the fire, the fire appliance returned safely from the operation and was subsequently redeployed to attend to a petrol tanker accident at Apake area of Ogbomoso later in the evening.

Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Services Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Hon. Dr. Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, advised members of the public to ensure that solar power systems are installed only by qualified and certified technicians.

He stressed that all solar panels, inverters, batteries, cables and related accessories should meet approved safety standards and be properly sized to avoid overloading.

Akinwande also urged property owners to carry out regular inspections and maintenance of their solar installations, ensure adequate cable protection and ventilation, and avoid the use of substandard electrical components.

He warned against storing combustible materials near solar installations or electrical equipment, noting that such practices increase the risk of fire outbreaks.

The chairman urged households, shops and commercial establishments to install functional fire extinguishers and adhere strictly to basic fire safety precautions to safeguard lives and property. (The Guardian)