A tragic fire incident claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, Abdulfatai, in the early hours of Monday at No. 158 Alaparun Compound, Isale Alore, Ilorin, in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. The fire, which engulfed a residential building comprising 35 rooms, also caused significant property damage, though firefighters managed to save the majority of the structure.
Incident Overview
The fire reportedly started around 2:00 am due to spontaneous ignition in a room that was being used to store highly combustible materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tyre inflator engine. These items acted as accelerants, quickly spreading the fire through portions of the building.
The deceased, Abdulfatai, was not a resident of the affected compound. He had come from Alate Compound in the Abayawo area of Ilorin to spend the night at a friend’s house when the fire broke out. Unfortunately, he was unable to escape due to intense smoke inhalation, which rendered him unconscious.
Firefighting Efforts and Extent of Damage
The Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to a distress call at 2:07 am. A fire truck and its crew arrived at the scene and worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. Their efforts prevented the fire from consuming the entire building.
According to the statement from the Fire Service’s Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle, while five rooms were completely destroyed, the firefighters managed to save 30 out of the 35 rooms in the compound. This intervention mitigated the potential for greater losses.
Adekunle explained, “A fire truck and its crew swiftly arrived at the scene to combat the blaze. Upon arrival, the fire had already engulfed some rooms, but the firefighters worked diligently to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing its spread to other areas.”
Fatality and Investigations
The intense smoke from the fire caused Abdulfatai to lose consciousness, ultimately leading to his death. His body was later recovered and handed over to his family by the fire service. The tragedy has left residents and relatives in mourning, particularly as the victim was only visiting and had no permanent ties to the compound.
Preliminary investigations by the Kwara State Fire Service revealed that the fire was triggered by spontaneous ignition in the room where flammable materials were stored. The presence of petrol, batteries, and other hazardous items significantly contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.
Community and Official Reactions
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the Magaji (community leader) of Ile Alaparun. He highlighted the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased and the community for their loss. This tragic event underscores the critical need for proper handling and storage of combustible materials. Fire safety precautions must always be a priority to avoid such devastating occurrences,” Falade said.
Lessons and Precautions
The fire service emphasized the dangers of improper storage of flammable materials within residential buildings. Petrol, batteries, and other hazardous items pose significant risks when stored improperly or in residential spaces. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting fire safety measures.
Residents were urged to:
- Avoid storing flammable materials like petrol and batteries in living spaces.
- Ensure proper ventilation in rooms where equipment such as tyre inflator engines is kept.
- Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in residential buildings.
- Regularly inspect electrical wiring and appliances to prevent electrical fires.
- Keep emergency contact numbers for fire services readily available.
Community in Mourning
The incident has left a deep mark on the community. Residents expressed their sorrow over the tragic loss of life and the destruction caused by the fire. Many described Abdulfatai as a kind individual who was only in the area to visit a friend.
“This is a very painful loss for our community. He wasn’t even from here. He just came to spend the night, and now we’ve lost him in such a tragic way,” a resident lamented.
As the festive season approaches, the Kwara State Fire Service has reiterated the importance of fire safety, particularly during harmattan when fire incidents are more common due to dry and windy conditions.
Conclusion
The fire at No. 158 Alaparun Compound serves as a grim reminder of the importance of fire safety and the devastating consequences of neglecting proper storage of flammable materials. While the Kwara State Fire Service’s swift action prevented a larger catastrophe, the loss of Abdulfatai has left the community in grief. Moving forward, adhering to fire safety measures will be crucial in avoiding similar tragedies.
