86-year-old man escapes near fatal inferno in Ilorin

An 86-year-old man nearly got burnt to death in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday while trying to retrieve his property from his apartment that went up in flames.

The incident, which happened at about 11:36 am at No 14 Afolayan Street, off Asa Dam Road in the Ilorin metropolis, involved a 12-room building with only one room affected.

Investigations revealed that the fire incident happened when the octogenarian was cooking and momentarily stepped out to attend to someone.

In a statement confirming the incident, the head of media and publicity of the state Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said, “Upon returning, he discovered his apartment was on fire. In a state of distress, he re-entered the burning apartment, possibly to retrieve belongings, and suffered injuries, including burns to the hair on his head.”

The Fire Service spokesperson also said that the injured man was promptly taken to the nearest hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

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“On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 11:36 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a distress call at No. 14 Afolayan Street, off Asadam Road, Ilorin. The fire crew swiftly responded to the scene to mitigate the ongoing destruction.

“Upon arrival, they found a 12-room building with only one room affected, containing belongings and personal items that were lost to the inferno. The firefighters showcased their expertise, containing the fire and preventing further damage to adjacent buildings.

“Investigations revealed that an 86-year-old occupant had been cooking and momentarily stepped out to attend to someone. Upon returning, he discovered his apartment was on fire. In a state of distress, he re-entered the burning apartment, possibly to retrieve belongings, and suffered injuries, including burns to the hair on his head.

“The injured man was promptly taken to the nearest hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

“The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, expressed sympathy for the octogenarian’s injuries and emphasized the importance of fire safety awareness, urging the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.”