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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Child playing with lighter sparks fire in Kwara building

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • A fire broke out in a residential building in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, gutting one room.
  • The fire service confirmed a child playing with a lighter ignited paper, causing the blaze.
  • Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, averting a larger disaster, and officials urged parents to keep ignition sources from children.

A fire outbreak on Thursday gutted a section of a residential building in Ilorin, Kwara State, after a child playing with a lighter ignited paper. The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident, stating that prompt intervention by firefighters prevented a more devastating inferno.

On Thursday, 11th June 2026, at 17:08hrs, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire outbreak at No. 38, Aduagbemi Street, behind the Uniform Company, off Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin, Kwara State.

— Hassan AdekunleThe Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service confirming the details of the fire outbreak.

The affected property was a three-bedroom flat, with only one room impacted before emergency responders brought the situation under control. Preliminary investigations revealed the fire started when a child ignited pieces of paper with a lighter. The burning paper then contacted nearby combustible materials, sparking the blaze.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a child playing with a lighter and using it to ignite pieces of paper.

— Hassan AdekunleExplaining the cause of the fire outbreak.

Neighbors noticed the escalating fire and raised the alarm. Firefighters arrived swiftly, controlling the situation and preventing the spread to other apartments and nearby structures. The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, cautioned parents and guardians to keep matches, lighters, and other ignition sources away from children and to supervise them closely. He also urged residents to prioritize fire safety and report outbreaks immediately to minimize damage. The Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to public safety through rapid response and fire safety education.

Parents and guardians are advised to keep matches, lighters, and other ignition sources out of the reach of children.

— Alabi MuhammedThe Director of the Kwara State Fire Service issuing a warning to parents and guardians.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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