The Kwara State Fire Service says it prevented major damage after responding to a fire outbreak that affected a shop in the Pakata area of Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.
The incident occurred at about 11:09 a.m. on Saturday at No. 61, Ita-Ogunbo area, along Pakata Road in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, on behalf of the Director of the service, Alabi Muhammed, firefighters were said to have quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to seven rooms and four additional shops within the building.
According to the statement, the affected structure comprised eight rooms and five shops, with only one shop damaged by the fire.
Adekunle said preliminary investigations indicated that the incident was caused by a power surge, which ignited combustible materials inside the shop.
The fire service director advised residents and business owners to use standard electrical installations, install surge protectors and avoid leaving appliances unattended during periods of unstable electricity supply.
He also emphasised the importance of keeping portable fire extinguishers on premises to help control fires at early stages.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to remain vigilant against fire hazards.