Fire Destroys 12 Shops in Ilorin Market

A fire affected 12 shops in a shopping complex at Mandate Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday.

The fire started near Alkad Filling Station around 1:14am. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had already taken over the complex, which has around 40 shops.

Hassan Adekunle, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, shared this information in a statement given to The PUNCH in Ilorin.

Adekunle said they sent two fire trucks after getting the distress call. The Federal Fire Service joined them to stop the fire from spreading to other shops and buildings nearby.

"Even with quick action from the firefighters, 12 shops were impacted, mostly because we were notified late," Adekunle said.

He mentioned that early findings showed the fire might have started from a power surge.

Some people who were sleeping close to the shopping complex reported hearing a loud noise after the electricity came back on.

"The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated," Adekunle added.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, praised the firefighters and the Federal Fire Service for their quick response and teamwork.

He advised business owners to make sure that only qualified professionals handle their electrical work. He also reminded them to keep an eye on their electrical appliances and power sources.

Muhammed emphasized the need to report fires without delay. "The sooner we know about a fire, the better chance firefighters have to control it before it causes more damage," he said.

This incident happened just two days after another fire affected a residential building behind the Industrial Training Fund in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin.

That fire damaged three bedrooms in a building with three-bedroom flats and a self-contained room-and-parlour.

The Fire Service said that fire had spread a lot before firefighters arrived, but they managed to control it and stop it from reaching other apartment blocks.

A power surge was also thought to be the cause of this second fire, but the Fire Service said they had not yet confirmed the cause.

They urged residents and business owners to regularly check their electrical systems and to call for help quickly when there is a fire.