Dare Babalola
A fire incident on Wednesday evening partially affected a commercial complex in Ilorin, Kwara State, destroying one shop in a two-storey building located at Akolapo Plaza on Oro Road, off the Taiwo Oke axis.
The blaze, which reportedly broke out around 4:19 p.m., was quickly brought under control by operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service, preventing it from escalating to other sections of the building.
In a statement released on Thursday, the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that the structure houses about 18 shops, with only one sustaining significant damage.
He explained that firefighters responded promptly upon receiving the distress call and were able to contain the situation through coordinated efforts, thereby averting further destruction within the plaza and nearby properties.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical issue linked to a solar power installation in the building. According to Adekunle, a spark from the system’s wiring is believed to have ignited combustible materials in the affected shop.
Reacting to the development, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, urged business owners and property managers to exercise caution when using alternative energy sources. He stressed the need for proper installation by qualified professionals, regular maintenance of electrical systems, and the use of quality components.
He also advised occupants to keep flammable materials away from power sources and ensure that fire extinguishers are readily available to tackle emergencies at an early stage.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, noting that it would continue to intensify public sensitisation on fire safety practices across the state.
The incident is one of several recent fire outbreaks in Kwara, following earlier cases that destroyed shops and goods worth millions of naira in different parts of the state.
