Ilorin shopping complex fire destroys 12 shops in Kwara State

A fire destroyed 12 shops at a shopping complex near Mandate Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, in the early hours of Saturday. The blaze began at approximately 1:14 am in a complex containing roughly 40 shops.

Kwara State Fire Service spokesperson Hassan Adekunle stated that although two fire appliances and personnel from the Federal Fire Service were deployed, the fire had already engulfed several units due to a late notification of the incident. Preliminary findings suggest a power surge may be the cause, as residents reported hearing a loud combustion sound shortly after electricity was restored to the area.

Significant losses were reported, including solar equipment, electronics, refrigerators, freezers, and various supermarket goods. This incident marks the second fire in Ilorin within a single week, following a residential blaze in the Asa-Dam area on Thursday.