No fewer than 31 persons lost their lives, while property worth N226.9 million were destroyed in 162 fire incidents that occurred in Osun between January and December.

The Director of the state Fire Service, Mr Timothy Ogunje, disclosed this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo.

Ogunje, however, said that the agency was able to rescue 12 victims of fire incidents and saved property worth N31.5 billion during the period.

He said that the use of substandard electrical equipment was the major cause of fire outbreaks, noting that substandard products would hardly resist electrical surge and spark in any building.

He advised the members of the public to always endeavour to purchase genuine electrical equipment and to contact experts in house wiring and other installations.

"People should also avoid actions that can cause fire outbreak such as handling of flammable materials carelessly and storage of petrol or diesel in residential buildings," he said.

He added that the agency organised 10 sensitisation workshops for the general public on fire management during the period.

Ogunje told NAN that only 14 fire stations with 10 functional water trucks were in the state, adding that the state government assisted in the refurbishing of one of its grounded trucks at Iwo fire station.

He urged the general public to always alert fire service men immediately there is fire outbreak instead of resorting to self help, adding that personnel of the agency were on ground 24 hours to respond to calls.