By Toyin Saheed
An early morning inferno as razed properties worth over eight million naira at the Alanamu market in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The fire incident, according to eyewitness was noticed around 4 :00 am and affected more than eight shops loaded with goods like clothes, showing machines, refrigerators, soft drinks and other materials before it was put under control by men of the state fire service.
Confirming the incident the HOD Media and Publicity Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said there was no one in the market when the fire started, adding that it was a bike man who saw the inferno and quickly summoned the state fire service to rescue the situation.
According to him “Firemen did everything possible to immediately stop the spread of the burning fire to the other shops, and subsequently eliminated the fire. Out of the 86 shops in the market arena, 11 shops were affected.”
The cause of the fire outbreak was suspected to be an electric power surge.
The estimated property saved was N865.5Million Naira and the estimated property lost was N9.6million Naira,” he said.
The Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the general public especially the market people to be more safety conscious.
He also advised them against unmonitored charging practice that many people in the society are doing at their various shops, offices, and homes as this could endanger their lives and properties.
Meanwhile the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin Doctor Uthman Atolagbe Abubakar Jos, the Kwara State Marketers Association and the people of Alanamu have appealed to the state government to come to their aid over the inferno.
Speaking during an interview with our Correspondent who visited the scene this morning, Balogun Alanamu praised the effort of the fire service for their quick response and also appealed to the state governor Abdulrssahman Abdulrazaq to come to the aids of the victim.
Also speaking, the Babaloja of Kwara State, Abdullahi Saad called on the state government, political office holders and other philanthropists to assist the victims.
