Midnight Fire Destroys 12 Shops In Ilorin Market
A midnight fire has destroyed goods and property in 12 shops at a shopping complex around Mandate Market in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, opposite Alkad Filling Station, with the fire service receiving the distress call at about 1:14am.
The shopping complex, which houses about 40 shops, was already engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. Two fire trucks were deployed to the scene, while personnel from the Federal Fire Service later joined the operation to prevent the flames from spreading to adjoining shops and nearby buildings.
The Kwara State Fire Service said preliminary assessment pointed to a possible power surge after electricity was restored shortly before the outbreak. Some residents sleeping close to the complex were said to have heard a loud combustion sound following the restoration of power.
The service, however, said the actual cause of the fire had not been conclusively established and would require further investigation.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters and their Federal Fire Service counterparts for their swift response, while urging traders to ensure that electrical installations and appliances in their shops are regularly checked by qualified professionals.
He also advised residents and business owners to report fire incidents immediately, stressing that early intervention could significantly reduce the spread of fire and limit damage to property.
The incident came barely two days after another fire outbreak damaged three bedrooms in a residential building in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin. A power surge was also suspected in that incident, although the Fire Service said investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause.
