Effective action by firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service prevented a major disaster at a petrol filling station in Ilorin, the state capital, on Thursday.
At 20:03 hours, a fire broke out, affecting eight shops near the Real Gold petrol filling station at Oki-Ogbo, Kongbari Street in Abayawo area of Ilorin. The prompt response of the firefighters averted a potential catastrophic incident in the area.
Speaking in Ilorin on Friday, the spokesman of the fire service, Hassan Adekunle, mentioned, “Upon their arrival, firefighters were met with eight shops engulfed in flames. Despite the intense fire, the brave firefighters valiantly combated the blaze, gaining control by 8:34 hours and extinguishing it shortly after. Unfortunately, all eight shops suffered significant damage.”
“The Kwara State Fire Service’s rapid response played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading to the nearby filling station, thereby avoiding a larger disaster. Moreover, the nearby structures were saved from the fire thanks to the diligent efforts of the firefighters,” he further explained.
Regarding the fire’s origin, Hassan stated, “Investigations indicated that the fire started in one of the shops close to a store selling engine oil and other highly flammable fluids, which intensified the blaze.”
Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, the Director of the state fire service, conveyed his condolences to the fire victims and expressed hopes for their speedy recovery and the restoration of their losses.