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The team leader of the Federal Fire Service who joined men of Oyo State Fire Service to put off the fire incident that occurred at the Bodija branch of Grandex store, owned by the former first lady of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi has attributed the cause of the incident to electrical sparks and overloading of electrical sockets.
Speaking with journalists on condition of anonymity after putting out the fire, he said: “It was electrical sparks from overloading of sockets that ignited the fire. People should always try not to put too much load on sockets. This is one of the things that can happen from it.”
The grocery and household supermarket was on Sunday afternoon razed by fire.
The incident which started from the back office around 3pm spread to the main stores of the supermarket.
The men of Oyo State Fire Service who came to put off the fire was not able to do so as the fire kept raging. It took the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service and Oyo State Fire Service to extinguish the fire.
The federal fire fighters who arrived later went to Aare close, which is at the back of the stores to spray water to the raging fire. This singular act put an end to the incident.
Those reading newspapers at the popular Osuntokun junction also saved the day as they rallied round to fetch water and brought fire extinguishers to quench the fire before the arrival of fire fighters.
An eyewitness, Mr. Bamidele Osinlowo, who spoke with journalists said:”It started about 3.p.m. When we heard the shouts from the workers, I immediately called the Oyo State Fire Service.Within 10 minutes, they arrived with a big truck. We moved in to join them with our bring extinguishers.Somebody from Zenith Bank brought one; another person brought from Afe Babalola Educational Centre, Bodija.”
Osinlowo decried absence of fire hydrants at the supermarket, saying if the hydrants were there the fire would have been put off on time.
After about 40 minutes, Mrs Ajimobi arrived at the scene.
Some of the aides joined in evacuating goods from the stores while stern-looking officers of Operation Burst were on ground to prevent looting.