By Charles Akinbode
There was a fire outbreak at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Friday night.
The fire, which reportedly started around 11.00pm, burnt down a chalet in the palace, after the electricity supply was restored.
Prompt intervention of men of the fire service reportedly prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings in the sprawling palace, according to an informed source.
Also, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, who confirmed the incident in a statement, disclosed that a power surge made some electrical appliances in the chalet to explode.
According to him: “The fire incident affected only a building within the courtyard and was quickly put out by the combined efforts of the State Fire Service Department and that of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ile.
“The building apartment within the courtyard of the Palace of the Ooni Of Ife was, at about 11:30p.m. yesterday (Friday), engulfed in flames triggered by power surge which exploded through electrical appliances in the affected apartment.
“The inferno did not spread beyond the affected building located at a section of the palace premises. It was swiftly put out through the combined efforts of the Government Fire Service, OAU Fire Service and Palace Emergency Control Unit. No casualties or injuries were recorded, and no cultural items was lost. Thanks to the Almighty Olodumare.”
