Part of Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife, Osun State, a recreation facility owned by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was on Monday razed by fire.
Although no life was lost to the incident, an unspecified number of crocodiles were said to have been electrocuted, as an electric cable reportedly fell in the lake, where the reptles were being kept in the resort.
The cause of the fire was not known yet, but the spokesperson for the Osun State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle, confirmed the incident.
Adekunle, who said firemen received a distress call from the resort about 6:53pm, said the fire was eventually put to check some hours after.
“We received a distress call from the resort around 6:52pm and firemen immediately proceeded to the scene.
“The men left the area and informed me that the fire had been put off about 9:17pm. No loss of life,” Adekunle said.
When contacted on Tuesday for an update about the incident, he further said, “At exactly 1853HRS Monday, 24th July, 2023, we were alerted by one Mr Samuel, one of the staff of Ife Resort about a fire around their crocodile sanctuary.
“The men of the Ile-Ife zonal Fire HQ of Osun State Fire Service moved to the scene in company with the Fire Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“The fire was however put out and other adjoining structures protected with the joint efforts of the two services. Few crocodiles were however electrocuted, while others were saved.”
