A deadly fire in the early hours of Monday, December 9, 2024, claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, identified as Abdulfatai, at No. 158, Alaparun compound, Isale Alore, in Ilorin, Kwara State. The fire, which broke out around 2 a.m., engulfed a residential building containing 35 rooms.
Authorities believe the blaze was sparked by an ignition in a room storing highly flammable materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tire inflator engine. Abdulfatai, who was not a resident of the building, had traveled from the Alate compound in Abayawo to visit a friend and spend the night.
Unfortunately, he became trapped by the thick smoke and was unable to escape the rapidly spreading fire. Firefighters later found that he had lost consciousness due to smoke inhalation and could not survive.
The Kwara State Fire Service responded promptly to the distress call at 2:07 a.m. Fire trucks and crews arrived at the scene to battle the flames. Despite the intensity of the fire, firefighters managed to save 30 out of the 35 rooms in the building, although five rooms were completely destroyed.
The team worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. In a statement, PFO Hassan Adekunle, the fire service’s spokesperson, confirmed that Abdulfatai’s body had been recovered and handed over to his family. Investigations revealed that the fire was caused by spontaneous ignition in a room filled with combustible materials.
Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the local community. He also highlighted the need for strict adherence to fire safety measures, particularly when storing flammable items, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
