OSBC Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
_Reveals why Atakunmosa Market, Art Deco suffered Heavy Loss To Fire Outbreak_
Osun State Fire Service has blamed people for some fire outbreaks that occur which usually lead to destruction of millions of Naira properties and sometimes cause loss of lives.
The Fire Department also advised community leaders to ensure that arrangement of shops, stall and kiosks in markets does not block the road in the market for vehicles to move round as this may cause heavy loss whenever a fire incident occurs.
Director of Fire Service, Osun State, Mr. Michael Ogundipe gave the advice while speaking with OSBC Online News in Osogbo.
Mr. Michael who described heavy loss usually suffered by victims of fire outbreak in Osun as unfortunate said many of these incident are preventable and can also be minimal if traders and owners of residential buildings strictly adhere to instructions and advice from the fire department .
“millions of property destruction are usually reported during fire outbreak particularly in markets because accessible roads for firefighters to park the vehicle, lay the hose and extinguish the fire are usually blocked or not available. This has been the major issue we encounter during the market fire. This happened in Atakunmosa market where several wares were burnt. In spite of our prompt response, blockage of accessible road in the market disturbed our men to do their job.
“Some residential buildings are also guilty due to the construction of the building. In the case of Artdeco, one of the cases reported in Osogbo, we brought our full equipment as soon as we’re contacted but we couldn’t gain access into the building due to its construction. It was until a section of the building was pulled down that we could gain access and put off the fire. However, the destruction was a bit high due the materials in the building such as foams, furnitures and other inflammable materials.”
Speaking on the state government’s efforts at nipping the act in the bud, Mr. Ogundipe said “all our vehicles and other equipment are perfectly working as well as those in sub-stations. The present administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken the bull by the horn because, upon resumption, he has reinforced additional 11 sub-stations which covered all federal constituencies in Osun. Aside this, Governor Adeleke has also constructed boreholes at all stations and the required kits for our officers have been provided. Although we’re are not praying for any Fire outbreak but I can assure you that we have all the required equipment to work with whenever there is such.” said Mr. Ogundipe
He enjoined all residents of Osun to strictly adhere to safety measures such as avoiding storage of fuel or other combustible substances around market places, shops or residential apartments, careless handling/usage of gaseous and electrical appliances, overloading of electrical appliances among others.
He also urged people to immediately contact the agency as soon as the fire starts and not wait till the situation gets out of control before they call on Fire-service.
