From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A late distress call nearly turned a Thursday afternoon fire in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin, into a major disaster, but prompt action by Kwara State firefighters prevented it from spreading to adjoining apartments.
The incident occurred at about 3:56pm near Ile-Anu Wofem Church, behind the Industrial Training Fund, ITF. The building affected houses three 3-bedroom flats and a block of room-and-parlour self-contained apartments.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the blaze had already destroyed three bedrooms in one section of the building before its personnel arrived at the scene.
Spokesman of the service said firefighters, through a swift and professional response, contained the fire and stopped it from extending to the neighboring block of self-contained apartments.
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Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was likely caused by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials in the affected part of the building.
The Chief Fire Officer, Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, warned residents against taking electrical safety for granted. He urged them to have their wiring and appliances inspected regularly by qualified electricians.
Muhammed also stressed the need for early reporting of fire outbreaks.
“Early notification gives firefighters a better opportunity to contain the fire before it escalates,” he said.
The CFO added that the service remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state and responding quickly to emergencies.
The Fire Service therefore advised residents to be vigilant and treat electrical faults and suspected power surges with caution to prevent avoidable fire incidents.
