By Monsurat Abisoye
Residents of an eight-room residential building at Assu-Luxury Quarters, off University Road in the Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State, escaped unharmed after a fire destroyed an attached laundry shop in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident occurred at about 3:58 a.m., prompting an immediate response from firefighters, who successfully contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to the residential apartments and neighbouring properties.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the affected property consisted of eight residential rooms and a laundry shop, with only the laundry section damaged.
According to him, firefighters brought the fire under control at about 4:25 a.m. and concluded the operation by 4:42 a.m.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been triggered by an electrical power surge, possibly from a pressing iron that had been left switched on for an extended period. However, investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, advised business owners, particularly laundry operators, to adopt safer electrical practices by switching off appliances immediately after use and avoiding leaving powered equipment unattended.
He also stressed the importance of regular electrical inspections, the use of standard electrical appliances and the installation of surge protection devices to minimise the risk of fire outbreaks.
The fire service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property through prompt emergency response and continuous public education on fire safety.