Fire Razes Traditional Chief’s Residence, Destroys 8 Rooms In Ilorin

A fire outbreak has razed eight rooms at the residence of a traditional chief in Alangua Compound, opposite Kulende Market, Sango area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, November 11, 2026, destroying property in eight rooms of a building comprising 10 rooms and 20 shops.

The Kwara State Fire Service said its firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the remaining two rooms and 20 shops through a swift intervention.

Spokesperson of the service, Hakeem Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, said preliminary investigations indicated that the fire might have been triggered by a power surge following the restoration of electricity to the area.

Adekunle said the Service received a distress call at 5:16am and arrived at the scene at 5:32am, when the building had already been engulfed in flames.

He said firefighters immediately commenced intensive operations and brought the fire under control at 6:10am.

According to him, information gathered during preliminary investigations indicated that smoke was noticed coming from one of the rooms shortly after electricity was restored to the area.

He said the affected room contained a large quantity of used rubber slippers and flip-flops collected by scavengers for recycling, adding that the combustible materials contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the fire.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the ignition remain subject to further investigation,” he said.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their dedication and professionalism in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

He advised residents, traders and recycling operators to exercise caution when storing combustible materials, particularly rubber products, plastics, foam and other highly flammable items.

Muhammed urged members of the public to store such materials in properly ventilated and designated areas, away from potential sources of ignition.