Fire razes Chinese company in Ogun as property worth millions destroyed

Fire, on Monday, November 14, 2022, gutted a Chinese Company, Yanuo Industry Limited, causing palpable tension on the premises of the company and its environs in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The company’s workers, alongside residents and passersby, scampered to safety as the fire, razed the company and burnt property worth millions of naira, Newscrescent reports.

Landlords, residents, and business owners whose buildings are situated around the scene were also seen abandoning their homes and shops over the fear of the fire escalating beyond the premises of the Chinese company.

One of the factory workers at the company, who spoke but refused to disclose his name over the fear of losing his job, said the fire was caused by a spark resulting from a faulty electrical connection.

He said, “I was in the company’s toilet when I heard a loud blast from somewhere around the factory. I learned some wires sparked and it led to the fire.

“Everybody including the Chinese expatriates evacuated the building before the fire became massive. It was God that saved us that it started from where we were able to escape. Everybody in the factory was evacuated before the fire become uncontrollable.

“This incident is because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Chinese expatriates we are working for. They are not always concerned about our safety and that is why this kind of incident happened.”

A landlord in the area, Bolaji Oyenekan, whose house is located opposite the factory, said he quickly evacuated his family and some important property in his house to avoid a total loss.

He said, “With the way this fire is going, it may spread to some houses close to the place. I have taken the necessary property away from my house to avoid a total loss. I have asked my wife and children to evacuate and you can see I am just watching from a distance.”

As the intensity of the fire increased, onlookers including residents, traders, and passersby, while lamenting over the incident, clustered on the road leading to the company.

Soldiers and policemen were also sighted at the entrance of the company to prevent hoodlums from looting some of the company’s products that were relocated outside the premises.