Two factories in Ilorin, Kwara State, were hit by separate fire outbreaks between late Friday night and early Saturday morning, damaging production equipment worth millions of naira.
The first incident happened around 10.10 pm on Friday at Kunzol Multi-Sector Nigeria Limited, a yam flour and crunchy garri processing factory in the Kilanko–Agbonka area of Ilorin South.
The Kwara State Fire Service said the fire started from heat remnants left in a production furnace, which later ignited nearby combustible materials.
In a statement on Saturday, the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said firefighters arrived to find the entire production section already in flames.
He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was triggered by remnants of unquenched fire, which ignited combustible materials in proximity, leading to rapid escalation.”
He added that responders contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, cautioned factory owners to ensure complete shutdown of heat sources at the end of work.
He said, “Negligence with fire remnants remains a leading cause of avoidable industrial fires. Business premises must adopt strict fire-safety procedures.”
The second fire occurred around 3.15 am on Saturday at Unik AJ Prints, a printing shop along Opomalu Road in Ilorin East.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze affected a storey building that housed printing machines, inverter units, and other production items.
Adekunle said firefighters responded quickly despite the time of day. “Their swift and determined efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining structures, averting further damage in the densely built area,” he said.
Initial reports indicated the fire may have been sparked by the building’s inverter system, which ignited flammable materials close by.
Reacting to the incident, Falade advised businesses using solar and inverter systems to place them in protected spaces.
He said residents should use fire-retardant materials and ensure proper installation of alternative power systems to reduce risks.
The Kwara State Fire Service restated its commitment to public safety and prompt response across the state.
