A devastating fire outbreak occurred in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Monday, after a five-year-old boy playing with matchsticks inadvertently set a duplex building on fire.
The incident happened at Abiodun Adebiyi close, off Yidi Road, Irewole area Ilorin, in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state. One room in the duplex was completely burnt, with property destroyed, before the state fire service arrived to rescue the building from complete destruction.
An eyewitness, Lanre Abdulrazaq, recounted the ordeal, stating that thick smoke was noticed emanating from the building, prompting a rescue operation. The fire service spokesman, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident, attributing the cause to the five-year-old boy’s matchplay, which ignited combustible material.
Adekunle praised the firefighters for their swift response, containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other rooms or nearby buildings. The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, emphasized the importance of fire safety and advised parents to keep matches away from children.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for vigilance in preventing such occurrences.
