According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire that ravaged the mini-store of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital’s pharmacy late Sunday night was triggered by an explosion from an air conditioning unit.
The fire was limited to the last floor of Building 7, where the pharmacy’s mini-store was situated, sparing the other sections of the two-storey building—housing 12 wards, a laboratory, and cash offices—from significant harm.
Head of Media and Publicity at the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, disclosed on Monday that prompt response by the fire service averted further devastation.
“At approximately 19:31 hours on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly tackled a fire outbreak on the last floor of Building 7, specifically at the mini-store of the UNILORIN Teaching Hospital’s pharmacy,” Adekunle explained.
On arrival, the fire department immediately commenced efforts to contain the fire and curtail additional damages.
Adekunle affirmed, “The building, which comprised 12 wards, two pharmacies, a side lab, and cash offices, was luckily spared significant destruction, as only the office and the pharmacy’s mini-store were affected by the fire.”
According to investigations, the fire initiated in an office where an air conditioner had been left running since Friday, causing excessive heat and resulting in the outbreak, Adekunle elaborated.
Residents were urged by Adekunle to prioritize safety measures and maintain vigilance to prevent similar fire incidents in the future.
He emphasized, “The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service underscored the importance of prioritizing safety and urged the general public to stay alert and proactive in averting such incidents going forward.”
It is worth noting that property worth millions of Naira was destroyed in a separate fire incident in the Tanke area of Ilorin last Tuesday.
Adekunle, confirming the incident to the press, highlighted that the absence of fire-retardant materials and the combustible nature of the building’s materials contributed to the fire’s escalation.