A fire outbreak on Wednesday afternoon destroyed parts of a residential building at Oloje Housing Estate in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after a suspected power surge sparked panic among residents in the area.
The incident occurred around 3:28 p.m. at Face Two of the estate and affected a residential structure comprising about eight-bedroom flats.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the inferno damaged sections of the building, particularly the sitting room and dining area, before firefighters successfully brought the situation under control.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the agency, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the Fire Service said emergency responders acted swiftly after receiving a distress call, preventing the flames from spreading to other sections of the property and nearby buildings.
“The incident involved a residential building consisting of about eight-bedroom flats. The fire affected the sitting room and dining area of the building,” the statement noted.
It added that firefighters responded promptly and contained the situation before it escalated into a larger disaster within the estate.
Preliminary findings by the agency linked the incident to a power surge, a common factor associated with several domestic fire outbreaks across the country.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the cause of the fire was attributed to a power surge. No casualty was recorded during the incident,” the agency stated.
The Kwara State Fire Service said no lives were lost, while residents expressed relief following the quick intervention of emergency personnel.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service urged residents to adopt stronger electrical safety practices in homes and workplaces.
The agency advised members of the public to switch off electrical appliances when not in use and ensure electrical installations are properly maintained to reduce risks associated with faulty wiring and sudden power fluctuations.
The Fire Service also appealed to residents to remain safety conscious and promptly report emergencies to the nearest fire station for rapid intervention.
