A significant fire outbreak occurred on Sunday at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) in Igbesa. The incident, believed to have been triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company within the industrial park, caused widespread chaos and fear, particularly among students residing in the nearby Obanla axis. Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke covering the sky, with videos showing students running out of their hostels in response to the emergency.

According to Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, the fire started around 8 am. He described hearing a loud noise, followed by the appearance of smoke and then flames emanating from the company. While the company is situated very close to his hostel, Vincent confirmed that no student residences were directly affected. The flames reportedly spread rapidly, impacting surrounding homes before emergency responders could fully contain the inferno. Fire services were swiftly on the scene to battle the blaze and prevent further escalation.

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of OGITECH, led by President Ilo Fadilu Temitope, along with Secretary Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, issued a statement calling for calm and vigilance among students. Recognizing the proximity of the fire to student hostels, the SUG prioritized student safety, advising those around the Obanla axis and its environs to adhere strictly to safety measures. These included avoiding unnecessary movement towards the affected area, staying indoors in safe locations, keeping doors and windows closed if smoke was present, and switching off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precautionary measure.

Despite the swift response from fire services and the immediate actions taken by the student body, there has been no official statement released on the definitive cause of the incident as of the time of reporting. When contacted, Ola Oresanya, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, acknowledged the information and stated his commitment to taking immediate action.