From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
No fewer than 16 rooms and seven shops were destroyed in a fire that erupted after a lorry loaded with mattresses collided with a high-tension wire this morning at Ile Bilewu, Alabi-Owo Junction, Ita-Amodu area of Ilorin.
The inferno, which originated from the lorry, quickly spread to a nearby building housing 47 rooms and 19 shops.
However, the prompt response of the Kwara State Fire Service helped contain the fire, saving 12 shops and 31 rooms.
Unfortunately, seven shops and 16 rooms were lost to the flames.
In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the agency confirmed receiving a distress call at 10:16 a.m. and immediately dispatched a team to the scene.
“Upon arrival, we encountered a massive inferno originating from a lorry overloaded with mattresses. The fire had spread to a nearby building containing 47 rooms and 19 shops. Despite the intensity of the flames, our firefighters acted swiftly to prevent further destruction, successfully saving 12 shops and 31 rooms,” the statement read.
“Investigations revealed that the fire started when the lorry collided with a high-tension wire, causing sparks that ignited the flammable mattresses. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent building due to the highly combustible nature of the materials. The situation worsened when a nearby step-down transformer exploded, further intensifying the fire,” the statement said.
The Kwara State Fire Service commended its team’s efforts, as well as the Federal Fire Service for their collaboration in extinguishing the blaze and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.
The agency urged individuals and businesses to prioritise safety when transporting and storing flammable materials.
It disclosed that a full investigation had been launched to determine whether negligence or regulatory violations contributed to the disaster.