Fire destroys five shops in Kwara market

Scene of the fire accident. Photo: Kwara State Fire Service,

An inferno on Sunday destroyed five shops and damaged part of a storey building at Ita-Amodu, Niger Junction, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Kwara State Fire Service, in a statement on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, said the incident occurred at about 1:36 pm.

The fire affected a storey building comprising three-bedroom flats and 10 shops, with five of the shops and the building’s parapet damaged.

Scene of the fire accident. Photo: Kwara State Fire Service.

Adekunle said materials used for the production of mattresses and sofas, which were among the commodities stored in the affected shops, contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.

“The incident involved a storey building comprising about three-bedroom flats and 10 shops, with five shops and the parapet affected by the inferno,” the statement read.

“Among the commodities involved were mattresses and sofa materials, which are highly combustible due to the materials used in their production, thereby contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.”

Scene of the fire accident. Photo: Kwara State Fire Service.

Adekunle stressed that the agency’s first fire appliance met the blaze already fully developed and overwhelming the building, prompting the immediate deployment of a second appliance to reinforce the operation.

“Due to the magnitude of the inferno, a second fire appliance was immediately deployed to reinforce the firefighting operation,” he said.

The service added that its personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties and eventually brought the blaze under control at about 2:05 pm.

“The firefighters demonstrated remarkable courage, professionalism and determination, working tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties. Their concerted efforts successfully brought the fire under control at about 14:05hrs,” Adekunle said.

Scene of the fire accident. Photo: Kwara State Fire Service.

Personnel of the Federal Fire Service also joined the operation, with the Kwara State Fire Service saying the collaboration helped to contain the inferno and prevent further damage.

“Personnel of the Federal Fire Service were also present at the scene and joined the Kwara State Fire Service in the firefighting operation. The collaboration between both agencies contributed significantly to mitigating the impact of the inferno and preventing further escalation,” Adekunle said.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of the time of filing this report. The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel of both agencies for their efforts in containing the blaze.

He particularly praised the Kwara Fire Service personnel for their swift response and reinforcement, saying their efforts prevented the fire from spreading beyond the affected premises.

The fire service urged business owners dealing in combustible materials, including mattresses, upholstery and related products, to prioritise fire safety measures and provide appropriate firefighting equipment at their premises.