Fire Guts 12 Shops In Ilorin Shopping Complex

At least 12 shops have been damaged following a fire outbreak at a shopping complex in the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at a shopping complex located opposite Alkad Filling Station. The facility reportedly contained about 40 shops before the fire broke out.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 1:14am, only to find the building already engulfed in flames.

The spokesperson for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, said two fire appliances were immediately deployed to tackle the blaze, while personnel from the Federal Fire Service later joined the operation.

He explained that the combined efforts of the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other shops and surrounding properties.

Despite the response, 12 shops were affected, with the fire service attributing the extent of the damage largely to the delay in reporting the incident.

Preliminary findings indicated that a power surge may have triggered the fire. According to the fire service, some people who were sleeping near the complex reportedly heard a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored.

However, authorities stressed that the exact cause of the incident would only be established after a full investigation.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel of both the Kwara State and Federal Fire Services for their prompt response and collaboration in containing the blaze.

Muhammed urged shop owners and other business operators to ensure that their electrical installations were carried out by qualified professionals. He also advised them to regularly inspect electrical appliances, wiring and power sources to reduce the possibility of fire outbreaks.

The Chief Fire Officer further appealed to residents and business owners to immediately alert emergency responders whenever they notice a fire, noting that early notification can significantly reduce the extent of damage.

The latest incident occurred barely two days after another fire outbreak was recorded at a residential building behind the Industrial Training Fund in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin.

That Thursday incident affected three bedrooms in a building comprising three-bedroom flats and a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment.

The Fire Service said the blaze had already spread significantly before firefighters arrived but was eventually brought under control before reaching an adjoining building. A power surge was also suspected as the possible cause, although investigations were still underway.

The fire service once again urged residents and business owners across the state to regularly inspect and maintain their electrical installations and report fire incidents immediately to emergency responders.