A tragic fire broke out in the early hours of Monday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, destroyed five rooms in a residential building, and killed a 41-year-old.
The incident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. at No. 158, Ile Alaparun, Alore area, left significant damage to the 35-room dwelling.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire was triggered by an explosion in a room containing flammable materials.
The agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, revealed that preliminary investigations pointed to “spontaneous ignition in a room storing combustible materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tire inflator engine.”
Efforts by the fire service to contain the blaze were lauded, but the unfortunate loss of life and property highlights the dangers of improper storage of flammable substances.
Adekunle added: “Firefighters worked diligently to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing its spread to other areas.
Ultimately, five rooms were affected, while 30 rooms were successfully saved.
“Tragically, the fire claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, identified as AbdulFatai from Ile Alate, Abayawo. The deceased had come to spend the night with a friend but was unable to escape due to intense smoke, which rendered him unconscious. His body was handed over to his family after the firefighting operation.”
Adekunle emphasised the critical importance of adhering to safety precautions to prevent fire hazards.