Swift Action by Kwara Firefighters Prevents Major Inferno in Ilorin

A significant fire outbreak was successfully averted in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, thanks to the prompt intervention of the Kwara State Fire Service on Thursday night.

The fire incident was reported at Alfa Olorunkemi compound, situated behind the Kwara State House of Assembly, within the Asa Dam area. A critical transmission line carrying 33kVA current collapsed and came in contact with a plastic overhead water tank, triggering a fire within a compound housing three units of 3-bedroom apartments.

According to Hassan Adekunle, the Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, the emergency occurred around 9:12 PM. In a statement released on Friday in Ilorin, he explained that the fire crew quickly responded to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the team found the fire had originated from a residential building consisting of multiple three-bedroom apartments. The cause was identified as a fallen 33kVA transmission line that landed on a plastic water tank, leading to a sudden fire outbreak,” he stated.

The firefighting team commenced operations immediately, attempting to control the blaze and minimize property damage. However, their efforts were initially hampered by the active electrical supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), which posed a serious hazard.

Recognizing the danger, Hassan Adekunle promptly contacted the IBEDC control room, requesting a shutdown of the affected power feeder. Once power was disconnected, the firefighters managed to fully extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading to other areas of the compound.

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, praised the quick and coordinated response by the firefighting crew. He emphasized the importance of safety awareness, advising residents and builders to avoid constructing buildings too close to high-voltage power lines, due to the risk it poses to both lives and infrastructure.