A fire disaster struck in a compound housing 40 rooms in the early hours of Friday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The fire incident occurred 02.40a.m at No E143, Ile Muse, off Emir’s road, in the Ilorin metropolis.
Firefighters of the state fire service battled to save the fire from spreading having affected nine rooms out of the 40 rooms in the compound.
According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle in Ilorin on Friday, “upon arrival, the firefighters were met with a daunting challenge. But with their training, skill, and unwavering dedication, they battled the blaze with unrelenting fury.
“The fire was finally brought under control at 03:42 hours, a testament to the crew’s unyielding spirit and professionalism.
“Investigations revealed a sobering truth, a careless mistake had sparked the disaster. A resident had failed to properly extinguish a charcoal fire used for cooking dinner the previous night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake,” the spokesman added.
Director of the state fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, who was visibly moved by the incident said, “this avoidable tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and awareness.
“Let us all learn from this and remain vigilant in our daily lives,” he stated, asserting that “In the face of danger, the firefighters stood tall, their heroism a beacon of hope in the darkness. Their selfless act would not be forgotten, a shining example of courage and service to humanity.”