More than 40 buildings at the Ile Megida Onikanhun compound, Isale Edun area of Ilorin, and Ilorin South local government area of Kwara state were gutted by fire on Monday morning.
The fire incident, which reportedly affected a mosque, leftover 120 occupants homeless, affecting 44 rooms in the 75-room Magaji Onikanhun Compound.
No life casualty was recorded.
The Nigerian Tribune investigation revealed that an unknown person had ignited refuse at about 11:00 am, while smoke that ensued caused and spread fire to nearby compounds and shops.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the buildings served both residential and commercial purposes, where such items as fairly used doors, furniture, bedding, building materials, and metal products were sold.
It was also gathered that the harmattan season aggravated the fire as the inferno continued to spread as firemen put forth a frantic effort to put out the fire.
The youths of the neighbourhood also helped to evacuate old men and women from the burning houses to prevent them from being killed in the fire.
Also, traders and artisans made frantic efforts to salvage their goods, including such items as metal doors, furniture, wooden doors, and building materials, among other metalworks.
The Kwara State Fire Service, which confirmed the incident, expressed sympathy to Magaji Megida Onikanhun’s representative, Kuranga Yunus Adebayo, and other victims of the fire incident.
In a statement, the Head of the Department of Media and Publicity for the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said that the firefighters, when they arrived at the scene of the incident, found the entire compound and Edun market engulfed in flames due to a late call.
“On Monday, January 15, 2024, around 11:08 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire at Megida Onikanhun Compound, Edun Isale, Ilorin South Local Government. The firefighters, upon arrival, found the entire compound and Edun Market engulfed in flames due to a late call. To enhance firefighting efforts, part of the fence was dismantled for better access.
“At 11:22 am, a message was sent to the Brigade headquarters for additional manpower, and the proficient firefighters successfully brought the situation under control within an hour before completely extinguishing the fire.
“Investigation revealed that an unknown person had ignited refuse, initially mistaken for harmless smoke. Unfortunately, it had spread to the nearby compound. Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, Head of the Department of Media and Publicity for Kwara State Fire Service, expressed condolences to Magaji Megida Onikanhun’s representative, Kuranga Yunus Adebayo. A commendation was given for the fire service’s efforts, but the incident left over 120 occupants homeless, affecting 44 rooms and a mosque in the 75-room Magaji Onikanhun Compound. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
“The Federal Fire Service and officers from the Department of Disaster Management (NSCDC) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were present at the scene. NSCDC officers ensured crowd control to prevent potential looting, safeguarding both market goods and firefighters.
“The Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the general public to always play safe, especially during this period, and not to hesitate to call the fire brigade on time whenever there is any fire emergency in their areas, as this would save lives and properties of people in the state.”
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