41-year-old man dies in Kwara fire incident

A 41-year-old man, identified as AbdulFatai from Ile Alate, Abayawo, in the Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State, died in a fire incident on Monday.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that AbdulFatai had visited his friend at No. 158, Ile Alaparun Isale, Alore, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday to spend the night but was unable to escape the fire that broke out due to intense smoke, which rendered him unconscious.

The incident, which occurred around 2:00 am, was confirmed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle.

The Fire Service spokesperson stated that the fire was reportedly caused by spontaneous ignition in a room containing combustible materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tire inflator engine.

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He further disclosed that the corpse was handed over to the deceased’s family following the firefighting operation.

“On Monday, December 9, 2024, at 02:07 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at No. 158, Ile Alaparun Isale, Alore, Ilorin, Kwara State,” he said.

“A fire truck and its crew swiftly arrived at the scene to combat the blaze in a dwelling comprising approximately 35 rooms. Upon arrival, the fire had already engulfed some rooms, but the determined firefighters worked diligently to contain and extinguish the blaze, preventing its spread to other areas. Ultimately, five rooms were affected, while 30 rooms were successfully saved.

“Tragically, the fire claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, identified as AbdulFatai from Ile Alate, Abayawo. He had come to spend the night at a friend’s residence but was unable to escape due to the intense smoke, which rendered him unconscious. His body was handed over to his family after the firefighting operation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by spontaneous ignition in a room storing combustible materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tire inflator engine.”

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and the Magaji of Ile Alaparun.

He also emphasized the critical importance of adhering to safety precautions to prevent fire hazards.