A fire outbreak on Saturday afternoon gutted Alhaji Haruna Kannike Shopping Complex in Ipata, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, destroying no fewer than 22 rooms.
The incident, which began around 3 p.m., affected the two-storey building containing 44 rooms and 25 shops. Household items, including beds, furniture, electronics, and cooking utensils, were consumed in the fire.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started after a power surge when electricity was restored following a week-long blackout in the area.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle.
“On Saturday, 14th December 2024, at 13:10 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded promptly to a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at Alhaji Haruna Kannike Shopping Complex, Ipata Market, Ilorin,” the statement read.
Adekunle said firefighters from both the state and federal services worked together to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.
“While 22 rooms were affected, 22 other rooms and all 25 shops were successfully saved. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by a power surge shortly after electricity was restored by IBEDC,” he added.
This incident marks the third fire outbreak in Kwara State within the last ten days. Last Wednesday, a truck loaded with mattresses was destroyed by fire at Ita Amodu, while a bungalow in Mandate Housing Estate was razed after a nine-year-old boy playing with matches caused a blaze. On Tuesday, another fire claimed the life of a 41-year-old man at Alaparun Compound, Isale Alore, Ilorin.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade John, urged residents to take preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies.
“Ensure all electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use, and put off all electrical plugs before closing shops or leaving homes,” he advised.
