No fewer than 24 shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak that swept through parts of the popular Mandate Ultra-Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, in the early hours of Tuesday.
GOSSIPSNG Metro gathered that the incident, which affected sections of the market housing over 200 shops, threw traders into panic as flames engulfed stores containing phone accessories, foodstuffs and other valuables.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters received a distress call at about 4:44 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to contain the inferno.
Adekunle said the extent of the damage was worsened because the fire had spread significantly before emergency responders were alerted.
“The magnitude of destruction was largely intensified due to the late call made to the Fire Service, as the fire had already spread significantly before firefighters arrived at the scene,” he said.
He, however, noted that the firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to other sections of the market complex.
“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” he added.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by a power surge.
“The fire reportedly started in a shop where phone accessories were sold alongside a phone-charging business before spreading to nearby shops used for storing foodstuffs and other commodities,” Adekunle explained.
Some traders and market stakeholders commended the firefighters for their swift intervention, saying their efforts saved a large portion of the market from destruction.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, also visited the scene to sympathise with affected traders and assess the level of damage.
During the visit, he met with leaders of market associations and assured them of the agency’s continued support.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident, and I assure you of the Fire Service’s continued support,” he said.
Muhammed also urged market operators to prioritise fire safety measures within their business premises.
“Market operators should invest in both active and passive fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and proper electrical protection devices, especially in situations where shop owners may not be present during emergencies,” he advised.
He further reminded traders of the annual fire safety sensitisation campaigns organised by the agency across markets in the state.
The latest incident adds to the growing number of fire outbreaks recorded in Kwara State in recent months.
On Monday, a residential building in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, was partially gutted after minors allegedly played with a cooking gas cylinder, while another fire earlier this month destroyed parts of a building comprising a two-bedroom flat and seven shops in Ilorin.
