By Abdulraheem Kawthar Adenike | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.
A devastating fire outbreak on Sunday afternoon swept through a popular plastic goods store in the Old Garage area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, causing widespread panic among residents, traders, and commuters as emergency responders battled to contain the blaze.
The fire, which erupted on June 7, 2026, completely destroyed Iyanu Plastic Store, a well-known plastics retail outlet located behind the Dugbe Police Station. Thick clouds of smoke were seen rising from the scene, attracting large crowds and disrupting activities in the busy commercial district.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire started unexpectedly and spread rapidly through the building, fueled by the highly combustible materials stored inside the shop. The intensity of the flames reportedly affected some nearby residential structures before firefighters arrived at the scene.
Residents expressed concern over the proximity of the burning store to two petrol stations situated along the Old Garage axis. Many feared that if the fire had spread to either of the fuel stations, the incident could have escalated into a far more catastrophic disaster with severe consequences for lives and property in the area.
Emergency response teams from both the Federal Fire Service and the Osun State Fire Service were promptly deployed to the location. Firefighters worked tirelessly for several hours to bring the inferno under control and prevent it from spreading further to adjoining buildings and critical infrastructure.
A follow-up assessment conducted approximately two hours after the outbreak indicated that the fire was still raging, despite sustained efforts by emergency personnel to extinguish it. Authorities continued to monitor the situation closely while deploying additional resources to combat the blaze.
Local residents and business owners commended the commitment of the firefighters and other emergency responders who remained on the ground throughout the operation. Some residents also appealed to motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles unrestricted access to the scene.
An official attached to the watchroom of the Federal Fire Service in Osun State confirmed the incident, stating that officers from the agency’s fire investigation department had been deployed to the location. However, the official noted that investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing.
As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been officially confirmed. Authorities had also not released details regarding possible injuries or the total value of property destroyed.
Preliminary estimates suggest that goods and property worth millions of naira may have been lost in the incident. A comprehensive assessment of the damage is expected after firefighters fully extinguish the blaze and investigators complete their examination of the scene.
Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency officials as efforts continue to secure the area and determine the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
