At least 12 shops have been damaged after a fire broke out at a shopping complex in the Mandate Market area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday.
The complex, located opposite Alkad Filling Station, reportedly housed about 40 shops.
The fire service received a distress call and arrived at the scene around 1:14am, only to find the building already engulfed in flames.
The spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin.
According to Adekunle, the state fire service immediately deployed two fire appliances to the scene, while personnel from the Federal Fire Service later joined the operation.
Their combined efforts prevented the fire from spreading to other shops and nearby properties.
“Despite the prompt intervention of the firefighters, 12 shops were affected, largely due to the late notification of the incident,” Adekunle said.
Preliminary findings suggested that a power surge may have triggered the fire.
Adekunle said people sleeping near the shopping complex reportedly heard a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored.
He, however, stressed that the exact cause of the incident would only be established after a full investigation.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel from both the state and Federal Fire Service for their swift response and cooperation in containing the blaze.
Fire service warns business owners
Muhammed urged traders and other business owners to ensure that their electrical installations were carried out by qualified professionals.
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He also advised them to regularly inspect electrical appliances, wiring and power sources to minimise the risk of fire outbreaks.
The Chief Fire Officer further appealed to residents to report emergencies promptly, stressing that early notification gives firefighters a better chance of containing fires before they cause extensive damage.
“Early notification gives firefighters a better opportunity to contain incidents before they escalate and cause extensive damage,” he said.
The latest incident occurred barely two days after another fire outbreak was recorded at a residential building behind the Industrial Training Fund in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin.
The Thursday fire affected three bedrooms in a building containing three-bedroom flats and a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment.
The Fire Service said the blaze had already spread considerably before firefighters arrived but was eventually brought under control before it reached the adjoining building.
A power surge was also suspected in that incident, although investigations were still ongoing to determine the actual cause.
The Fire Service has consequently renewed its call for residents and business owners to regularly inspect and maintain their electrical installations and immediately alert emergency responders whenever they notice signs of fire.