Aisha Suleiman, a mother of two, recounted how she and her children, including her newborn baby, escaped a fire that destroyed three buildings in the Oloje Phase II area of Ilorin, Kwara State. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at around 2:00 am. Aisha said she woke up to a spark from her refrigerator and quickly took action to save her family.
Aisha stated that she initially tried to put out the fire using water and soap but it spread rapidly. She then gathered important documents, removed the gas cylinder, and escaped with her two children. The fire destroyed most of her household items, including furniture, refrigerator, and kitchen utensils. Aisha also expressed concern about the persistent power outage in the area, which has lasted for almost three years.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Hassan Adekunle stating that they received a distress call at 2:41 am and arrived at the scene on Lawyer Lambo Street in Ilorin West. The fire affected three buildings, including two four-bedroom houses and a small one-bedroom apartment. Three cars were parked in one of the buildings, but the fire service team successfully rescued two of them.
The fire also destroyed a tyre repair shop and an office of a tourism company. Preliminary investigation revealed that a fallen 33kV power line caused the fire. The power line touched a car, which sparked and ignited the fire that spread to other buildings. The fire service team contacted the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to disconnect the power supply before continuing their operation.
Kwara State Fire Service Chief, Alabi Muhammed, sympathized with the affected families and warned the public against building structures under high-tension power lines. He urged residents to report fallen power lines or damaged electricity cables to the relevant authorities and avoid touching them. Muhammed emphasized the importance of public awareness and vigilance in preventing such incidents.
The incident highlights the risks associated with poor power infrastructure and the need for regular maintenance. Residents of the affected area are still reeling from the effects of the fire, which destroyed property worth millions of naira. The Kwara State government has promised to investigate the cause of the fire and provide support to the affected families.
The fire service team is still investigating the incident, and the state government has promised to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The affected families are currently seeking shelter and assistance from the government and well-wishers. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and reliable power supply.
Key points
- The fire was caused by a fallen 33kV power line that sparked and ignited a car.
- The incident highlights the risks associated with poor power infrastructure and the need for regular maintenance.
- The Kwara State government has promised to investigate the cause of the fire and provide support to the affected families.
