Early-Morning fire hits Mandate Market in Ilorin

By Ahmed Olayinka

Twelve shops have been affected by an early-morning fire outbreak at a shopping complex within the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at a shopping complex located opposite Alkad Filling Station in the market.

The Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 1:14 a.m., only to find the shopping complex, comprising approximately 40 shops, already engulfed in flames.

Due to the intensity of the fire and the risk of it spreading to adjoining shops and properties, the Fire Service immediately deployed two fire appliances to the scene.

The firefighting operation was later reinforced by personnel of the Federal Fire Service, who joined their Kwara counterparts in a coordinated effort to contain and extinguish the inferno.

Although 12 shops were affected, the combined efforts of the two fire services prevented the fire from spreading to the remaining sections of the complex and nearby properties.

The Kwara State Fire Service attributed the extent of the damage largely to the late notification of the incident.

Preliminary information gathered at the scene suggested that the fire may have been caused by a power surge. Some individuals who slept close to the affected area reportedly heard a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored.

The Fire Service, however, said the exact cause of the incident remained subject to further investigation.

The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their prompt response, courage and professionalism in tackling the intense blaze.

He also appreciated the Federal Fire Service for its timely intervention and collaboration, which he said contributed to preventing further damage.

Alabi urged members of the public, particularly business owners, to ensure that electrical installations were carried out by qualified professionals and that electrical appliances and power sources were properly monitored.

He further stressed the importance of immediately reporting fire incidents, noting that early notification gives firefighters a better opportunity to contain emergencies before they escalate and cause extensive damage.

The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, while urging residents to make fire safety a collective responsibility.