Goods worth millions of naira were on Wednesday destroyed by a fire outbreak at the popular Phone Market in the Challenge area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the fire incident that broke out at about 9pm was caused by a power surge.
Sources told LEADERSHIP that 10 phone shops were completely ruined by the inferno.
The spokesman of Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday morning, said the prompt intervention of the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to about 190 shops and kiosks in the market.
Adekunle said: “On Wednesday, 30th April 2025, at about 21:06 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at the Challenge Phone Village, located within Challenge Market, Ilorin.
“Our fire crew promptly mobilised and arrived at the scene to find several shops engulfed in flames. The market comprises over 120 shops, 80 kiosks, and numerous stands. Through swift intervention, our team successfully curtailed the spread of the fire, limiting its impact to only 10 kiosks.
“The affected areas were primarily phone stores and repair shops. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a power surge.
“Traders and market stakeholders commended the Kwara State Fire Service for their rapid response and effectiveness in saving the market from widespread destruction.”
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