A fire outbreak in the early hours of Thursday gutted parts of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, destroying several shops and goods worth millions of naira.

The cause of the inferno had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report, while the Oyo State Fire Service had not issued an official statement on the incident.

An eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Serifat, said the fire caused extensive destruction, leaving many traders counting their losses.

“The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving many traders counting their losses. We have not known the cause of this fire incident,” she said.

Firefighters were reportedly deployed to the scene shortly after the outbreak and succeeded in bringing the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market.

Bode Market is one of the largest commercial markets in Ibadan and serves as a major trading hub for herbs, animal skins and other traditional products. The market attracts traders from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.

Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire, while an assessment of the extent of the damage is ongoing.

The post Fire Guts Sections of Ibadan’s Popular Bode Market, Destroys Goods Worth Millions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Two children have been rescued following the collapse of a two-storey residential building in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at about 9:10 a.m. on Ajegunle Street, off Sabo-Line in the Isale area, where a six-flat building reportedly gave way, raising renewed concerns about structural safety in residential properties.

Children Rescued Before Emergency Arrival

According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the children were trapped in the rubble shortly after the collapse but were rescued before firefighters arrived at the scene.

The Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the rescue and identified the children as Ahmad (8) and Hussainat (10).

He explained that both children were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention after being pulled from the debris.

Firefighters Begin Salvage Operations

Following the arrival of emergency responders, firefighters commenced salvage operations at the site.

Officials recovered items from accessible sections of the building, including clothing, electronics, food supplies, and important personal documents belonging to residents.

The operation also involved assessing the extent of damage and ensuring no additional victims were trapped within the structure.

Authorities Flag Safety Risks in Adjacent Buildings

After an on-site inspection, the Fire Service raised concerns about the structural integrity of nearby buildings.

It recommended that the Disaster Management Department of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) take immediate action to prevent further risk in the area.

The recommendation included sealing off the collapsed structure and issuing a seven-day ultimatum for evacuation of a neighbouring building deemed unsafe for habitation.

The NSCDC Disaster Management unit subsequently sealed off the affected site and enforced evacuation directives on the adjacent structure.

Prior Warning Signs Reported

Officials also disclosed that the caretaker of the collapsed building had previously been alerted to the deteriorating condition of the property before the incident occurred.

This development has intensified concerns over enforcement of building safety regulations and early intervention by property stakeholders.

Fire Service Urges Preventive Maintenance

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, who supervised operations at the scene, urged property owners to prioritize regular structural integrity checks.

He emphasized the importance of responding promptly to early warning signs such as wall cracks, weak foundations, and visible structural defects.

According to him, proactive maintenance and compliance with safety standards remain critical to preventing avoidable building collapses.

The post Ilorin Building Collapse: Two Children Rescued as Kwara Authorities Warn on Structural Safety appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A petrol tanker went up in flames on Saturday evening after falling at Ogheghe Junction along Sapele Road in Edo State.

Eyewitnesses said the tanker lost balance due to a bad portion of the road, spilling its content before it caught fire.

The incident caused panic in the area as residents and motorists fled to safety.

The Edo State Fire Service confirmed the incident, stating that officers and firefighting trucks were deployed to the scene around 7 p.m.

However, the agency noted that heavy traffic and motorists’ refusal to clear the way delayed their arrival.

An official from the fire service, identified as Faith, explained that despite the challenges, firefighters eventually contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings and vehicles.

The Ogheghe axis of Sapele Road has long been described by motorists as a death trap due to its large potholes and poor road condition, which frequently lead to accidents.

Authorities have not reported any casualties as of press time, but traffic in the area remained heavy hours after the incident.

The post Fire Erupts as Petrol Tanker Falls on Sapele Road, Edo appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A fire outbreak on Monday disrupted activities at the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, sparking panic among civil servants and visitors. The blaze, which affected the ground floor of the Podium Block, was quickly brought under control through a coordinated emergency response.

Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, confirmed that no casualties were recorded. She commended the swift intervention of the Rivers State Fire Service and its partners  including the Federal Fire Service, the military, and private responders for containing the fire before it spread.

“We were informed of a fire at the right wing of the ground floor of Podium Block and immediately contacted the Rivers State Fire Service, which responded promptly,” Brown said. “We also received quick support from the Federal Fire Service and other partners. It was a combined effort, and thankfully, the situation is now under control.”

Dr. Brown expressed gratitude to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for revamping the state’s fire service infrastructure, noting that his proactive investment in emergency response helped avert a major disaster.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been triggered by an electrical fault. The Head of Service advised civil servants to adhere to strict safety measures by switching off and unplugging electrical appliances after work hours to prevent similar incidents.

She added that Governor Fubara has directed plans for the refurbishment of affected sections of the secretariat, assuring that the government remains committed to ensuring a safe and functional work environment for state employees.

The post Panic as Fire Breaks Out at Rivers Secretariat in Port Harcourt appeared first on Housing TV Africa.