A fire outbreak on Tuesday razed parts of an OPay office along the busy Akala Expressway in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, destroying property estimated at millions of naira and causing panic among residents, motorists and nearby business operators.
The blaze reportedly broke out in the afternoon, sending thick smoke and flames billowing from sections of the fintech company’s premises and drawing a large crowd of onlookers.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started suddenly and spread rapidly before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Some residents initially mistook the smoke for generator fumes before realising that 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 mobilise to the scene. The fire was later brought under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings and shops.
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 no reports of serious injuries, as staff members reportedly evacuated the premises before the blaze escalated.
However, the inferno caused extensive damage, destroying office equipment, furniture, documents and other valuables.
Some affected workers were seen attempting to salvage items from the building after the fire was extinguished.
Officials of the fire service said investigations had commenced to determine the cause of the incident and assess the full extent of the damage. They assured that appropriate recommendations would be made to prevent a recurrence.
OPay is expected to issue an official statement addressing the incident and outlining measures 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 conduct regular inspections of commercial buildings, particularly along major highways.
