Suspected Arson: Fire guts furnished room in Ilorin three-bedroom flat

By Ahmed Olayinka

A furnished room in a three-bedroom flat at Iluteju Community, Irewolede area of Ilorin, Kwara State, has been gutted by fire in an incident suspected to be arson, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The statement was signed by PRO/Head of Media and Publicity Department, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, MBA, that the incident occurred on Saturday at about 1:07 p.m., when the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at C76, Iluteju Community.

Firefighters responded promptly to the scene and immediately commenced firefighting operations. Their swift intervention successfully brought the fire under control and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the building.

According to information gathered from sympathisers and community members at the scene, the fire was suspected to have been deliberately set.

The Fire Service observed that the affected room was the only one in the building that was furnished, while the other rooms had already been emptied of their contents.

The agency also disclosed that the building had been disconnected from the electricity supply before the incident, making an electrical fault an unlikely immediate source of ignition. However, it stressed that the actual cause of the fire remains subject to further investigation by the appropriate authorities.

The Kwara State Fire Service urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities that could lead to fire outbreaks or endanger lives and property.

The Chief Fire Officer, CFS Muhammed Alabi, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and professional handling of the incident.

He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the Fire Service by providing accurate and timely information whenever emergencies occur, noting that early reporting is crucial to preventing the spread of fire and minimising losses.