Fire Incidents Raise Safety Concerns Across Kwara State
Two separate fire incidents have devastated production facilities in Ilorin, Kwara State, within a span of just seven hours, causing extensive damage worth millions of naira and raising renewed concerns about industrial safety in the region. The back-to-back outbreaks, which affected two different facilities in Ilorin South and Ilorin East Local Government Areas, have prompted the Kwara State Service to issue urgent warnings to business owners about proper fire-safety protocols.
The first broke out late Friday night at Kunzol Multi-Sector Nigeria Limited, a yam flour and crunchy garri production factory located in the Kilanko–Agbonka axis of Ilorin South. According to witnesses and emergency responders, the incident occurred around 10:10 pm and quickly escalated, engulfing the factory’s main production area before help arrived.
Preliminary findings revealed that it was triggered by heat remnants from a production furnace. These remnants, which had not been properly extinguished at the close of work, ignited nearby combustible materials, causing a rapid and uncontrollable spread of flames throughout the facility. The incident has been described as one of the most severe industrial blazes recorded in the area in recent months.
Fire Authorities Confirm Cause of First Incident
In a statement issued Saturday, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State flames Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, confirmed that when flames fighters arrived at the scene, the factory’s entire production section was already in flames. He noted that despite the intensity of the flames, emergency teams worked strategically to prevent it from spreading to neighboring structures.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the flames was triggered by remnants of unquenched fire, which ignited combustible materials in proximity, leading to rapid escalation,” Adekunle explained. He emphasized that the swift intervention of the fire service helped prevent what could have evolved into a catastrophic industrial disaster affecting multiple facilities within the vicinity.
The Director of the Kwara State Service, Prince Falade John, used the incident to highlight the dangers of negligence in industrial settings. He said many factory flames are avoidable if businesses strictly adhere to safety protocols.
“Negligence with fire remnants remains a leading cause of avoidable industrial flames. Business premises must adopt strict fire-safety procedures,” he warned. Falade urged factory operators to ensure proper shutdown of all heat-generating equipment at the end of each workday.
Just hours after the first blaze was extinguished, another fire erupted at Unik AJ Prints, a printing facility situated along Opomalu Road in Ilorin East. The early-morning inferno, which occurred around 3:15 am on Saturday, gutted key sections of the building, including two large halls used for printing operations.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the flames began in a section of the building where inverter systems and printing machines were installed. Given the time of the incident, the fire could have spread undetected for much longer, but firefighters responded promptly despite the difficult pre-dawn conditions.
Adekunle, in his report, praised the dedication of the responders, noting that their efforts prevented the flames from spreading to other buildings in the densely populated area. “Their swift and determined efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining structures, averting further damage in the densely built area,” he said.
Initial investigations into the second flames point to a likely electrical fault. According to early findings, a spark from the facility’s inverter system ignited nearby flammable materials, setting off the blaze. Authorities say the incident highlights the growing risk of electrical and inverter-related fires in commercial spaces, especially as more businesses adopt alternative power systems.
Commenting on the matter, Fire Service Director Prince Falade reiterated the importance of proper installation and placement of electrical systems. He advised that solar and inverter units must be positioned in isolated, well-ventilated areas equipped with fire-protection features. “Businesses using inverter systems should ensure they are installed in fire-protected environments to reduce the risk of electrical fires,” he said.
The twin incidents have renewed public conversation regarding industrial and commercial safety practices in Kwara State. With two major fire outbreaks occurring within a short window, authorities are urging business owners to conduct regular safety inspections, maintain clear emergency exits, install fire alarms, and train staff in emergency response protocols.
As investigations continue, the Kwara State Service has pledged to intensify awareness campaigns to reduce the frequency of preventable flames. For now, residents and business operators alike remain shaken by the losses, but grateful that no lives were reported lost in either incident.
Source- Punchng
