Fire gut residential building at Asa-Dam in Ilorin
LThe Kwara State Fire Service brought a residential fire under control in the early hours of Saturday, preventing what could have been a far more devastating loss of property along Asa-Dam Road in Ilorin.
According to the Fire Service, the emergency call came in at 2:27 a.m., alerting officers to a fire outbreak opposite Metropolitan Square, off Asa-Dam Road. Firefighters arrived at the scene eight minutes later, at 2:35 a.m., and moved quickly to tackle the blaze, bringing it under control by around 2:40 a.m.
The property involved comprised eight room-and-parlour self-contained apartments alongside a separate storey building containing four bedroom flats. The fire damaged two blocks of the self-contained apartments, but firefighters managed to save the remaining units as well as the adjoining storey building from destruction.
A preliminary investigation attributed the outbreak to a power surge that ignited combustible materials inside the affected apartments.
Speaking on the incident, the Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, called on residents to install surge protection devices and use standard electrical fittings in their homes. He further advised property owners to carry out regular inspection and maintenance of electrical wiring, avoid overloading electrical outlets, and report fire outbreaks promptly, noting that early reporting significantly improves the chances of saving lives and property.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property through rapid emergency response, professionalism, and ongoing public fire safety education.
