A fire outbreak in the early hours of Saturday destroyed parts of a six-room bungalow at Danialu Alapata Compound in the Gaa Akabi area of Ilorin, Kwara State, leaving residents alarmed but with no reported casualties.
The incident, which occurred at about 2:11 a.m., prompted a swift response from operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service, who were able to contain the blaze before it spread to nearby buildings. Their timely intervention significantly reduced the extent of the damage, preventing what could have escalated into a larger disaster.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the fire affected only two of the six rooms in the building. He explained that the firefighters acted quickly upon arrival, successfully bringing the situation under control and safeguarding other parts of the property.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials within the affected rooms. The development highlights ongoing concerns about electrical safety in residential buildings, particularly in areas prone to unstable power supply.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, urged residents to adopt preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences. He advised homeowners to install surge protectors, refrain from overloading electrical outlets, and ensure regular inspection of wiring systems by certified professionals.
Muhammed also stressed the importance of switching off electrical appliances when not in use, noting that such simple precautions could help reduce the risk of fire outbreaks. He encouraged the public to promptly report any fire incidents to emergency responders to enable faster intervention.
The fire service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring residents of continued vigilance and readiness to respond to emergencies.
This latest incident adds to a series of recent fire outbreaks recorded in Kwara State. Earlier in March, a fire at Owode Market in Offa destroyed six shops and goods valued at millions of naira. Other incidents include a 10-room building fire in Ilorin and a shop fire at Akolapo Plaza, raising concerns about fire safety awareness.
