A fire on Wednesday evening affected one shop in a two-storey commercial building at Akolapo Plaza along Oro Road, off Taiwo Oke area in Ilorin, Kwara State. The blaze, which began around 4:19 p.m., prompted a swift response from the Kwara State Fire Service, whose personnel contained the fire before it could spread.
According to the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, the building houses 18 shops, but only one was significantly affected. “The Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire outbreak at No. 3, Akolapo Plaza, Oro Road, off Taiwo Oke Area, Ilorin, at about 16:19hrs on Wednesday, 25th March 2026. The incident involved a two-storey commercial building comprising about eighteen shops, out of which one shop was affected,” Adekunle said.
He credited the prompt arrival and coordinated efforts of firefighters with limiting the damage and preventing the fire from spreading to other shops or nearby properties. “Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and, through swift and coordinated efforts, successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other shops within the plaza and adjoining properties,” he added.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire was linked to an electrical fault in a solar power installation supplying electricity to the building. “Investigation revealed that the fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark from the wiring of a solar power system, which ignited nearby combustible materials,” the PRO disclosed.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, urged property owners and business operators to prioritize safety, especially when using alternative power sources. “Ensure proper installation by certified professionals, routine inspection and maintenance of wiring, and use standard, high-quality components,” he advised. He also emphasized keeping combustible materials away from electrical systems and equipping premises with functional fire extinguishers for early response.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while intensifying public awareness on fire prevention across the state. This latest incident adds to a series of recent fire outbreaks in Kwara, including the destruction of shops at Eyenkorin Roundabout and Offa’s Owode Market earlier in March.
