A late-night fire has damaged 12 shops at a shopping complex in the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred opposite Alkad Filling Station and was reported to the Kwara State Fire Service at about 1:14 a.m. on Saturday.
Spokesperson for the service, Hassan Adekunle, said the complex, which contains about 40 shops, was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Two fire appliances were deployed, while personnel from the Federal Fire Service joined the operation. Their intervention prevented the blaze from spreading to the remaining shops and neighbouring properties.
Adekunle said the extent of the damage was partly linked to the delay in notifying emergency responders.
Preliminary findings indicated that a power surge may have triggered the fire. People sleeping near the complex reportedly heard a loud sound shortly after electricity was restored. However, the fire service stressed that the exact cause remained under investigation.
Kwara State Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the emergency teams and urged business owners to engage qualified professionals for electrical installations.
He also advised traders to monitor electrical appliances and report fire incidents immediately to improve the chances of containing them before they spread.
The monetary value of the goods and property destroyed was not disclosed.
