Fire guts 12 shops in Kwara shopping complex

Twelve shops were affected when fire swept through part of a shopping complex at Mandate Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, early Saturday. The complex, opposite Alkad Filling Station, contains about 40 shops and was already engulfed when firefighters arrived.

The Kwara State Fire Service received the distress call at about 1:14 a.m. and deployed two fire appliances. Personnel from the Federal Fire Service later joined the operation, helping prevent the blaze from spreading to other shops and nearby properties.

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Despite the prompt intervention of the firefighters, 12 shops were affected, largely due to the late notification of the incident.

“Despite the prompt intervention of the firefighters, 12 shops were affected, largely due to the late notification of the incident,” said Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the state fire service. He said preliminary findings pointed to a possible power surge after people sleeping near the complex reported hearing a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored. “The exact cause of the incident remains subject to further investigation,” Adekunle added.

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The exact cause of the incident remains subject to further investigation.

Chief Fire Officer Alabi Muhammed commended both services for their response and collaboration. He urged business owners to use qualified professionals for electrical installations and to monitor appliances and power sources. “Early notification gives firefighters a better opportunity to contain incidents before they escalate and cause extensive damage,” Muhammed said.

The fire came two days after another blaze affected three bedrooms in a residential building in Ilorin’s Asa-Dam area. That fire also spread significantly before crews arrived and was eventually contained before reaching an adjoining apartment block. The service said a power surge was suspected in that case as well, although the cause had not been conclusively established.

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Early notification gives firefighters a better opportunity to contain incidents before they escalate and cause extensive damage.