Kwara firefighters battle major inferno at Ita-Amodu, deploy two fire appliances

By Ahmed Olayinka

The Kwara State Fire Service has successfully contained a major fire outbreak at Ita-Amodu, Niger Junction, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, after deploying two fire appliances to the scene, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

This was contained in a statement signed by the PRO/Head Media unit, Kwara State Fire Service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, MBA on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at about 1:36 p.m. and involved a storey building comprising three-bedroom flats and 10 shops.

Five of the shops and the parapet of the building were affected by the inferno.

According to the Kwara State Fire Service, some of the materials involved in the fire included mattresses and sofa materials, which are highly combustible and contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.

Upon arrival, the first fire appliance met the fire fully developed and already overwhelming the building.

Due to the magnitude of the blaze, a second appliance was immediately deployed to reinforce the firefighting operation.

The firefighters displayed courage, professionalism and determination as they worked to prevent the inferno from spreading to adjoining properties.

Their combined efforts eventually brought the fire under control at about 2:05 p.m.

Personnel of the Federal Fire Service also joined the operation, providing additional support to their counterparts from the Kwara State Fire Service.

The collaboration between the two agencies helped to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the Fire Service saying further details would be made available upon completion of the investigation.

The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel of both the Kwara and Federal Fire Services for their bravery, resilience and teamwork in tackling the inferno.

He particularly praised the Kwara State firefighters for their swift response, effective reinforcement and commitment to duty, noting that their efforts helped prevent the fire from spreading beyond the affected premises.

The Fire Service also advised owners and operators of businesses dealing in highly combustible materials, including mattresses, upholstery and related products, to prioritise fire safety.

It urged such business owners to maintain adequate spacing between combustible materials and provide appropriate fire extinguishing equipment on their premises.

The Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property through prompt emergency response, professionalism and effective collaboration with sister emergency agencies across Kwara State.