From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A furniture workshop in Ilorin, Kwara State, was completely gutted by fire in the early hours of Sunday, while firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to an adjoining building.
The incident occurred at Rashmat Furniture Workshop, beside Winners Church, opposite Abattoir Market, along Akerebiata–Sobi Road, Ilorin.
The Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call at 5:37 a.m. and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
According to the service, the workshop had been engulfed in flames before security personnel manning a nearby building noticed the fire and alerted the firefighters.
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Despite the intensity of the inferno, the firefighters battled the flames and brought the situation under control at about 6:18 a.m., preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring property.
Although the workshop was completely affected by the fire, the swift intervention of the firefighters helped avert further damage to the adjoining building.
Preliminary information gathered at the scene indicated that the fire reportedly started shortly after electricity was restored. The presence of combustible materials, including foam and wooden planks, was said to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
However, the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation.
The Chief Fire Officer, CFS Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and for preventing the fire from spreading to the adjoining building.
He urged furniture makers, carpenters and other business owners handling combustible materials to prioritise fire safety by ensuring proper electrical installations, arranging flammable materials safely and equipping their workshops with appropriate fire extinguishers.
The chief fire officer also advised residents and business owners to report fire outbreaks promptly, noting that early notification would give firefighters a better chance of minimising damage and protecting lives and property.
The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to responding swiftly to emergencies and safeguarding lives and property across the state.
The statement was signed by the service’s Public Relations Officer, PFO Hassan Adekunle.
