A tragic fire engulfed a three-bedroom flat at No. 52 Mandate Housing Estate in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, reportedly caused by a nine-year-old boy playing with matches.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident, revealing that the child accidentally ignited a mattress, leading to a blaze that destroyed the entire apartment.
Hakeem Adekunle, the spokesperson for the Fire Service, provided details about the incident. “The fire was caused by a nine-year-old child playing with matches, which ignited a mattress and quickly escalated into a full-blown blaze,” he said.
Adekunle expressed concerns over safety during the holiday period, emphasizing that many children are left unsupervised at home while parents are at work. He urged parents and guardians to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents, including keeping flammable materials like matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy in Ilorin last year, where a child accidentally caused a fire that razed their family home. Adekunle stressed the importance of fire safety education for children. “Parents must educate their children about the dangers of fire to prevent such devastating occurrences,” he said.
With the holiday season approaching, Adekunle also warned against the use of firecrackers, commonly referred to as bangers, which pose significant fire risks. “Firecrackers should be handled with extreme care or avoided altogether. Ensuring safety should be a priority for everyone,” he added.
The Fire Service’s appeal serves as a reminder for families to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies, particularly during the festive period when fire hazards tend to increase.
