Machine Blast Sparks Devastating Fire at Oyo Recycling Facility

An early morning explosion caused by a faulty machine has triggered a major fire at an industrial plant in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying property worth millions of naira.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Shril-Balaj Industrial Limited, located in the Olopomeji area of the city. The fire, which broke out in the facility’s recycling section, consumed large quantities of discarded tires and other flammable materials.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the agency received the distress call at 7:07 a.m.

“The fire incident was a result of the explosion of a running machine, which ignited nearby combustibles and set the section ablaze,” he stated.

According to Akinwande, firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the facility. No casualties were reported.

Eyewitnesses described the fire as intense and fast-spreading, particularly in the areas used for rubber processing.

This marks the second major fire incident in Ibadan this year. In April, a nighttime blaze destroyed at least 12 shops at the Mayegun Cement Store Market in Araromi, Agodi-Gate, raising concerns over fire preparedness across commercial zones in the state.

Authorities have called on factory and industrial operators to maintain safety standards, including regular machinery checks and strict adherence to fire prevention protocols, to avert future disasters.