From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Fire Service, has successfully contained a midday fire outbreak at No. 61 Pakata Road, Ita-Ogunbo area of Ilorin, preventing what could have been a major destruction of property in the busy commercial neighbourhood.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Media Unit and Public Relations Officer, PFO Hassan Adekunle, MBA, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, the incident occurred at about 11:09 a.m. on Saturday, 11 April 2026.
The fire affected a building housing eight rooms and five shops, but only one shop was impacted due to the swift response of firefighters.
Officials confirmed that operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service arrived promptly at the scene and were able to bring the situation under control before it could spread further to adjoining shops, residential rooms, and nearby structures.
Preliminary findings from the service indicated that the fire was triggered by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials within the affected shop.
Speaking on the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, urged residents and business owners to prioritise electrical safety and fire preparedness.
He said, “Residents must ensure the use of standard electrical installations, install surge protectors, and avoid leaving appliances unattended during unstable power supply. Every shop and business premises should also be equipped with portable fire extinguishers to tackle fire incidents at the earliest stage.”
The Public Relations Officer, also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that vigilance remains key in preventing avoidable fire disasters.
The agency further appealed to residents of Ilorin and surrounding communities to remain cautious, especially during periods of erratic electricity supply, to avoid similar incidents.
