Inferno destroys millions worth of property in Ilorin

By Saka Laaro Ilorin

The Kwara State Fire Service has successfully curtailed a massive fire outbreak that erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2024, at Ile Bilewu, Alabi-Owo Junction, Ita-Amodu, Ilorin.

According to a statement by the service’s Head of Media and Publicity, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the distress call was received at 10:16 am, prompting an immediate response from the fire crew.

The inferno was traced to a lorry overloaded with mattresses that had collided with a high-tension wire, resulting in a spark that ignited the highly flammable cargo. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing a nearby building comprising 47 rooms and 19 shops.

The situation escalated further when a nearby step-down transformer exploded, intensifying the blaze.

Despite the intensity of the fire, the firefighters acted swiftly to contain it, saving 12 shops and 31 rooms from destruction. However, seven shops and 16 rooms were affected.

Speaking on the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, stressed the importance of prioritizing safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The service has urged residents and business owners to adopt preventive measures, particularly in areas prone to fire risks, to avert tragedies.