A major fire outbreak occurred today, Sunday, 11 January 2026, at the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) in Igbesa. The inferno, which started in the early hours of the morning, has reportedly spread beyond the industrial park, impacting nearby residential buildings and causing significant property damage.
While an official statement from the Ogun State Fire Service or the OGFTZ management is still pending, eyewitnesses and residents report that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion at a foam-producing company operating within the zone.
“The explosion was massive, and the fire spread almost instantly,” said a resident whose home was partially affected. “Because of the harmattan winds, the flames jumped the perimeter fence and caught onto the roofs of nearby houses before the fire trucks arrived.”
Allegedly, multiple warehouses within the Free Trade Zone have been gutted. The foam factory where the fire allegedly started is reportedly a total loss.
At least five houses in the immediate vicinity of the industrial park have been damaged by the fire. Many residents have been evacuated to safer areas.
More so, as of 12:00 PM, there have been no confirmed reports of fatalities, though several factory workers and residents are being treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns at local clinics.
Firefighters from the Ogun State Fire Service, supported by private fire crews from neighboring industrial firms, are currently on the scene battling the remains of the blaze.
The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone is a critical hub for manufacturing in Nigeria, hosting dozens of Chinese and local firms. This incident marks one of the most significant industrial fires in the zone’s history and raises immediate questions regarding industrial safety protocols and the proximity of hazardous manufacturing plants to residential communities.
Local community leaders in Igbesa have already called for a “thorough investigation” into the safety standards of factories within the zone to prevent future occurrences that put civilian lives at risk.
This incident is a real-world example of Crisis Management and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement. In your role as a leader with 20+ years of experience, you might highlight how you would manage the communications between the industrial zone management, the affected community, and the state government to ensure transparency and rapid compensation.
