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Fire Razes Two-Storey Building In Ilorin, Destroys 22 Rooms
Shortly after electricity was restored by IBEDC, a power surge occurred, igniting the fire on the upper floor.
Ilorin, Kwara State- A fire outbreak on Saturday gutted a two-storey building housing 25 shops and 44 rooms at the Alhaji Haruna Kannike Shopping Complex, Ipata Market, Ilorin, Kwara State.
It was gathered that the inferno affected 22 rooms but was prevented from spreading to the remaining 22 rooms and all 25 shops by the Kwara State Fire Service.
Afrika Eyes learnt that the fire started after a power surge occurred following the restoration of electricity by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
However, the surge ignited the blaze on the upper floor of the building.
Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the quick response and commended the efforts of the fire service team in preventing a larger disaster.
“The swift response of our firefighters ensured the protection of 22 rooms and all 25 shops within the building,” Adekunle stated.
The statement read, “On Saturday, 14th December 2024, at 13:10 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded promptly to a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at Alhaji Haruna Kannike Shopping Complex, Ipata Market, Ilorin, Kwara State.
“A fire truck and crew arrived swiftly at the scene to combat the blaze in the two-storey building housing 25 shops and 44 rooms. Upon arrival, the fire had already engulfed some rooms on the upper floor.
‘Undeterred by the challenging situation, the gallant firefighters contained the blaze, extinguished it completely, and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the market. While 22 rooms were affected, 22 others and all 25 shops were successfully saved.
Adekunle said, “Preliminary investigations revealed that parts of Ilorin had experienced a power outage lasting nearly five days. Shortly after electricity was restored by IBEDC, a power surge occurred, igniting the fire on the upper floor.
“Federal Fire Service personnel also joined the operation, assisting in extinguishing the inferno—a testament to the strong synergy between the two agencies,’ Adekunle added.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, urged the public to unplug electrical appliances when not in use and emphasized the importance of adopting safety measures to prevent fire outbreaks.
