A fire has engulfed the Kwara State High Court Complex situated in the Government Reservation Area of Ilorin, the capital city of the state.
The fire, which broke out on Tuesday morning, resulted in the destruction of 40 offices, three open courtrooms, the Registry department, and the Litigation Office of the High Court.
According to a statement from Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire incident was confirmed, and firefighters responded promptly to a distress call.
Regarding the cause, Adekunle mentioned that it was attributed to a surge in electricity supply to the area.
“On the morning of February 13th, 2024, at 07:33 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at the State High Court in Ilorin,” the statement read.
“Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to find the imposing State High Court building ablaze. This building, housing 40 offices and 3 open courtrooms, was in peril, with the registry department and litigation office particularly affected by the inferno.
“With commendable courage and determination, the firefighters immediately commenced their efforts to combat the raging flames. Working tirelessly, they skilfully navigated through the burning structure, deploying their expertise and resources to contain and extinguish the fire.
“Despite the daunting challenges they faced, the firefighters succeeded in saving the State High Court from complete devastation, preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss.
“Subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it was triggered by a power surge, highlighting the importance of electrical safety measures,” the statement said.
Adekunle stated that Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, the state Director of Fire Service, emphasized the importance of safety awareness and precautions in daily life. He emphasized, “This call to action underscores the critical role that vigilance and preparedness play in preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.”
In another incident on Monday evening in Ilorin, a building comprising 15 rooms and a shop was completely destroyed by fire.
The building, situated at Arilewo Street, Oja oke off Airport Road Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, caught fire around 6:53 pm on Monday.