Fire outbreak hits Ilorin residence, firefighters save four rooms from destruction

Residents of Danialu Alapata Compound in the Gaa Akabi area of Ilorin were jolted awake in the early hours of Saturday after a fire outbreak engulfed part of a residential building, with emergency responders swiftly moving in to contain the situation.

The incident, which occurred around 2:11 a.m., affected a six-room bungalow, with two rooms severely damaged before operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service brought the blaze under control.

According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the prompt intervention of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the building and nearby structures.

“Our men responded promptly and acted with professionalism to confine the fire to only two rooms. Their swift action saved the remaining parts of the building and surrounding properties,” the statement said.

Preliminary findings by the fire service traced the cause of the incident to a power surge, which reportedly ignited combustible materials within the affected rooms.

Reacting to the development, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, called on residents to take preventive measures against electrical hazards.

He advised households to install surge protectors, avoid overloading sockets, and ensure that electrical wiring is regularly checked by qualified technicians.

“It is important for residents to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, especially during periods of unstable power supply. These simple precautions can prevent avoidable fire incidents,” he said.

Muhammed also urged members of the public to promptly alert emergency responders at the first sign of fire, stressing that early reporting remains critical in minimizing damage.

The fire service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, assuring residents of continued rapid response to emergencies.