Fire Guts Ooni’s Palace
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has been left distraught after a section of his palace was gutted by fire in the late hours of Friday, April 28.
The incident, which was linked to a power surge, occurred in the courtyard of the palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Reports indicate that the electrical appliances in the affected apartment exploded at about 11:30 pm, leading to a raging inferno.
The fire quickly spread to other areas, causing widespread destruction of property.
According to eyewitnesses, it took the combined efforts of the fire service, palace aides, and indigenes of the community to put out the fire.
The disaster would have been more catastrophic if not for their swift intervention.
Although the fire has been brought under control, the damage has already been done.
The affected section of the palace, which housed some of the monarch’s personal effects, has been completely razed down.
Several other buildings were also damaged.
The palace spokesman, Otunba Moses Olafare, confirmed the incident, expressing the Ooni’s shock and sadness over the disaster.
In a statement, he assured the public that the monarch was safe and unharmed.
The Ooni of Ife is a revered traditional ruler in Nigeria, with a rich cultural heritage and history dating back centuries.
The palace, is the monarch’s official residence, a historic monument and a symbol of the Yoruba people’s rich cultural tradition.
The incident has attracted widespread sympathy and condolences from Nigerians, with many calling for an investigation into the cause.
It has also underscored the need for improved fire safety measures in public buildings and residential areas across the country.
