Ibadan fire incident claims lives of family of three.

By Divine Sam

The tragic fire incident in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of a family of three—Baba Yunus, his wife, and their grandson Samuel—has left neighbors and the community in deep sorrow. The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, December 20, 2024, was so intense that the victims’ cries for help were in vain. According to residents, the fire began in the family’s living room, spreading rapidly. Despite their desperate attempts to escape, the victims were unable to find a way out due to a locked window and the heavy flames.

Neighbors, including Bose Ayinde, Aliu Omotara, and Dupe Ajibade, recounted the harrowing experience. They described hearing cries for help around 3 a.m. as the fire engulfed the upper floor of the house. Although the community attempted to help, the fire’s intensity made it impossible to save the victims. By the time the Oyo State Fire Service arrived, the house was already heavily damaged. The fire was believed to have been caused by a hot plate left on while the family slept.

The emotional toll of the incident was evident as the bodies of the victims were retrieved, with neighbors expressing their grief over the tragic loss. Despite the swift response of the fire service, the neighbors’ efforts to contain the blaze were insufficient to prevent the destruction and loss of life.