A section of Alhaji Haruna Kannike Shopping Complex in Ipata, Ilorin was razed by fire on Saturday.
The blaze, which began around 3 p.m., affected a complex comprising 44 rooms and 25 shops.
Eyewitnesses reported that household items, including beds, furniture, electronics, and cooking utensils, were destroyed by the fire. Initial investigations suggest that the fire was caused by a power surge that followed the restoration of electricity in the area, which had been without power for approximately a week.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle. The statement explained that the Fire Service responded promptly to the distress call at 1:10 p.m. on December 14, 2024. A fire truck and crew arrived quickly at the scene and began combating the fire, which had already spread to the upper floor of the two-story building.
Both the Kwara State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service worked together to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring buildings. While 22 rooms were completely destroyed, 22 other rooms and all 25 shops were successfully saved.
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Preliminary investigations by the fire service revealed that the fire started shortly after the local power provider, IBEDC, restored electricity following a nearly five-day power outage. The surge in electricity triggered the fire on the upper floor of the complex.
This incident marks the third fire in the state within the past ten days. Previously, a truck loaded with mattresses was destroyed by fire at Ita Amodu, while a bungalow at Mandate Housing Estate was set ablaze by a nine-year-old boy playing with matches. Additionally, a fire at the Alaparun compound in Isale Alore resulted in the tragic death of a 41-year-old man.
In light of these incidents, Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, urged the public to take precautions to prevent future fires.
He advised people to unplug electrical appliances when not in use and ensure all electrical plugs are turned off before closing shops. He stressed the importance of adopting fire safety measures in homes, shops, and offices across the state.
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