Fire fighters attached to the Oyo State Fire Service have been attacked by hoodlums while responding to a fire outbreak in Saki, Oyo State.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening at Biseri Petroleum Station, located in the Orogun, Isale Adinni area of the town.

It was gathered that the fire service received a distress call following the outbreak and promptly mobilised its crew to the scene. However, while en route, the fire fighters were reportedly waylaid by an angry mob, which attacked them with dangerous weapons.

During the attack, the hoodlums vandalised the fire service truck, smashing its windshield and inflicting severe damage on the body of the vehicle with cutlasses and stones. Some of the fire fighters sustained injuries in the process.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident on Saturday.

He said the crew managed to escape from the scene and reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Saki.

According to him, the damaged fire tender has been moved to the police station to prevent further attacks, while investigations are ongoing.

“The police have arrested some suspects in connection with the incident,” Akinwande said.

He appealed to members of the public to cooperate with fire fighters and other emergency responders, stressing that attacks on rescue personnel could worsen emergency situations and endanger lives.