The Kwara State Fire Service has successfully prevented a major fire disaster at a residential building comprising three units of three-bedroom apartments located behind the Kwara State House of Assembly in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin.
According to a statement by the Service’s Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters swiftly mobilized to the scene following a distress call. The fire was traced to a 33kVA transmission line that had fallen onto a plastic overhead water tank within the premises, igniting a blaze.
The response team promptly commenced firefighting operations but faced a critical challenge due to the continued power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), which posed serious safety risks and impeded their efforts.
The situation was brought under control after power was disconnected, allowing the firefighters to fully extinguish the fire and prevent its spread to adjacent structures.
In a cautionary remark, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, urged residents and property developers to avoid erecting buildings beneath or near power transmission lines, stressing that such practices endanger lives and property.