By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The timely arrival of the operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service has saved a 12-room building in Ilorin from being completely razed.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, the fire incident occurred at No. 14
Afolayan Street, off Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, adding that the swift response by the fire crew mitigated the level of destruction.

“Upon arrival, the fire crew found a 12-room building with one of the rooms already gutted by fire. In the affected room, all belongings and personal items were lost to the inferno. The firefighters showcased their expertise in containing the fire and preventing its spread to the other rooms, as well as adjacent buildings.

“Investigations revealed that an 86-year-old occupant had been cooking and momentarily stepped out to attend to someone. Upon returning, he discovered that his apartment was on fire. In a state of distress, he entered the burning apartment, possibly to retrieve some belongings, and in the process suffered injuries, including burns to the hair on his head. The injured man was promptly taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, while sympathising with the Octogenarian, emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness, urging the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent fire incidents.