Two separate fire incidents on Monday have destroyed parts of containerised shops and a residential building in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
The PUNCH gathered that the incidents, which occurred within Ilorin South Local Government Area, were responded to by the Kwara State Fire Service.
The first Monday incident happened at about 01:50hrs at Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin South, where fire gutted a row of containerised shops.
The blaze reportedly affected ten containerised shops, out of which five were severely damaged before firefighters brought the situation under control.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was triggered by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials stored within the affected shops.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued later in the day, the spokesperson of the Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the agency received an emergency alert and responded swiftly to the scene.
He said, “This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Ilorin by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle.”
Firefighters, according to officials, deployed coordinated efforts that prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining shops and nearby structures.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, warned traders to adopt safer electrical practices in commercial environments.
“Shop owners and residents should ensure the use of standard electrical installations and surge protection devices, especially in business premises prone to unstable electricity supply,” he said.
He further advised business owners to always switch off appliances when not in use, avoid overloading sockets, and keep fire extinguishers within reach to curb early-stage outbreaks.
In a second incident on the same day at about 10:56 hours, a fire broke out on Ladipo Street, Gaa Akanbi, also in the Ilorin South Local Government Area.
The fire affected a twin flat comprising four bedrooms on each side, with the sitting room of one of the flats destroyed by the flames.
Investigations showed that the fire originated from a power surge linked to the building’s power changeover switch, which ignited nearby combustible materials.
Firefighters were again able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building and adjoining properties.
Reiterating safety concerns, Alabi urged residents to prioritise proper electrical installations by certified technicians.
“Residents should ensure proper installation and regular maintenance of electrical systems, particularly power changeover switches and electrical panels, by qualified technicians,” he said.
He also cautioned against makeshift electrical connections and stressed the importance of surge protectors and prompt reporting of fire incidents.
The development comes barely 24 hours after an early-morning fire gutted a residential building at Tewo-Gbore Street, Ogele Ori-Sunbare in the Eyenkorin area of Asa Local Government Area, destroying parts of the property on Sunday.
The Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kwara State through rapid emergency response and sustained fire safety awareness campaigns.
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