On Monday, a devastating fire outbreak in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, left over 120 people homeless and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The spokesperson of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, reported that the first fire incident occurred around 11:08am.
The Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to a fire outbreak at Megida Onikanhun Compound, Edun Isale, Ilorin South Local Government Area.
Upon arrival, the firefighters found the entire compound and Edun Market engulfed in flames due to delay in receiving the call for assistance. They had to dismantle part of the fence for better access to enhance their firefighting efforts.
An additional message was sent to the brigade headquarters at 11:22am for more manpower, and within an hour, the proficient firefighters successfully brought the situation under control before completely extinguishing the fire. 
An investigation revealed that the fire originated from someone setting refuse on fire, which was initially mistaken for harmless smoke but unfortunately spread to the nearby compound.
Head of Department of Media, Hassan, expressed condolences to Magaji Megida Onikanhun’s representative, Kuranga Yunus Adebayo, and commended the fire service’s efforts. He noted that the fire incident left over 120 occupants homeless, affected 44 rooms and a mosque in the 75-room Magaji Onikanhun’s Compound, with no casualties reported.
In response to the disaster, the Federal Fire Service, officers from the Department of Disaster Management, NSCDC, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps were present to ensure crowd control and prevent potential looting, safeguarding both market goods and the firefighters.
The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the public to prioritize safety and promptly call the fire brigade in case of fire emergencies, emphasizing that this timely action can save lives and properties in the state.