Goods worth millions destroyed as fire guts Ilorin shopping complex

A fire disaster ravaged the Mandate Shopping Complex in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, on Saturday, resulting in the destruction of goods worth millions of Naira. The inferno erupted early in the morning at the shopping complex, situated opposite Alkad Filling Station within the Mandate Market area. With 40 shops located within the premises, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly, deploying two fire appliances to combat the blaze.

The situation was further exacerbated by the arrival of personnel from the Federal Fire Service, who collaborated with the state fire service to contain and extinguish the fire. Despite the quick actions of the firefighters, 12 shops were affected due to the delayed notification of the incident. Their combined efforts successfully prevented the fire from causing further damage to the remaining parts of the complex and surrounding properties.

An initial assessment suggests that the fire might have been triggered by a power surge. Some residents reportedly heard a loud noise shortly after electricity was restored, hinting at a possible electrical fault. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, lauded the swift response and professionalism of the Kwara firefighters and the Federal Fire Service's timely support.

He cautioned the public, particularly business owners, to ensure their electrical installations are carried out by qualified professionals and to monitor electrical appliances and power sources. Muhammed underscored the significance of immediate reporting of fire emergencies, emphasizing that early notification allows firefighters to contain incidents before they escalate and result in extensive damage.