Fire razes vehicle, buildings in Kwara market

A raging fire on Tuesday destroyed goods worth millions of naira, including a truck loaded with mattresses, buildings, and shops, at a building materials market in the Ita Amodu area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The inferno, which reportedly started around 10 am at Ile Bilewu, Alabi-Owo Junction, Ita Amodu, was caused by a collision between the truck and a high-tension power line, sparking a fire that quickly spread to a building housing 47 rooms and 19 shops, according to the Kwara State Fire Service.

The Principal Fire Officer and Head of Media and Publicity of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“Upon arrival at the scene, we encountered a massive inferno originating from a lorry overloaded with mattresses. The fire spread from the lorry to a nearby building containing 47 rooms and 19 shops. Despite the intensity, our firefighters managed to prevent further destruction, saving 31 rooms and 12 shops. Unfortunately, seven shops and 16 rooms were affected,” Adekunle said.

The Fire Service disclosed that the highly flammable nature of the mattresses fueled the rapid spread of the fire.

The situation was worsened by an explosion from a nearby step-down transformer, which intensified the blaze, spreading it to the adjacent buildings.

He commended residents in the area for their assistance, noting that their collaboration with firefighters played a vital role in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of people nearby.

“We appreciate the timely support of the people, who worked closely with our team to control the fire and limit the damage,” he said.

The service also lauded the Nigeria Police Force for their intervention in protecting firefighters from hoodlums attempting to disrupt the operation.

“The police presence ensured the safety of our personnel during a volatile situation,” the statement added.

It extended gratitude to media outlets for their timely updates, which kept the public informed and helped manage panic during the incident.

The Service Director, John Falade, emphasised the importance of adhering to safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The incident highlights the critical need for safety precautions, especially when handling flammable materials and operating near power lines,” Falade stated.

The fire has left traders and residents counting their losses, with calls for improved safety regulations and response mechanisms to avert future disasters.