A fire outbreak on Tuesday gutted parts of an OPay office along the busy Akala Expressway in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, destroying property estimated at millions of naira and triggering panic among residents, motorists, and nearby business operators.
The blaze, which broke out in the afternoon, sent thick smoke and flames billowing from sections of the fintech firm’s premises, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started suddenly and spread rapidly before emergency responders arrived. Some residents initially mistook the smoke for generator fumes before realising the building was on fire.
“As soon as people noticed the smoke, there was shouting and everyone started running,” an eyewitness said. “Within minutes, the fire intensified and fear gripped the area.”
Workers in nearby offices were said to have raised the alarm, prompting firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency to rush to the scene. The fire service later brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings and shops.
READ ALSO: Fire guts Arena market in Lagos
Security operatives were deployed to cordon off the area and manage traffic, as vehicular movement along the expressway was temporarily disrupted during the firefighting operation.
Although the cause of the fire had not been officially determined as of press time, authorities confirmed that no lives were lost. There were also no reports of serious injuries, as staff reportedly evacuated the premises before the fire escalated.
However, the inferno caused extensive damage, destroying office equipment, furniture, documents, and other valuables. Some affected workers were seen salvaging items from the building after the fire was extinguished.
Officials of the Fire Service said investigations had begun to ascertain the cause of the incident and assess the full extent of the damage, assuring that measures would be recommended to prevent future occurrences.
OPay is expected to issue an official statement on the incident and clarify steps being taken to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to customers in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State.
Meanwhile, residents and business owners in the area have called on authorities to strengthen fire safety enforcement and ensure regular inspection of commercial buildings, particularly along major highways.