Newborn child and fogeys escape as fireplace razes condominium in Kwara

A pair and their new child child narrowly escaped demise after a hearth gutted their condominium in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The household was rescued by neighborhood members within the early hours of Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The spokesperson for the service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, who confirmed the incident in a press release stated the couple’s one room-and-parlour self-contained condominium was severely affected by the hearth whereas a number of buildings and companies had been additionally broken.

According to him, the incident resulted from the collapse of a concrete pole supporting a 33kV electrical energy transmission line.

The influence reportedly generated sparks that affected close by properties and electrical home equipment, triggering the hearth outbreak.

Adekunle stated firefighters responded to a hearth emergency at Lawyer Lambo Street, Oloje Phase 2, Ilorin West Local Government Area.

“The Fire Service received the distress call and turned out at 02:41hrs, following a fire outbreak involving three buildings and other properties in the vicinity,” the assertion learn.

“The incident involved two buildings comprising four-bedroom flats each and a third building consisting of a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment.

“The room-and-parlour self-contained condominium was severely affected by the hearth.

“Fortunately, the occupants, who had recently welcomed a newborn baby, were rescued by members of the community.

“In one of many four-bedroom flats, three autos had been current. One of the autos was utterly burnt, whereas our gallant firefighters efficiently saved the remaining two autos from the hearth.

“The second four-bedroom flat also sustained damage, particularly to its kitchen, where electrical appliances, including a freezer, were affected. The solar power generation system serving the building was also damaged.

“Furthermore, an adjoining journey and excursions workplace was affected. Its solar energy technology system, 4 tubular batteries and different electrical home equipment sustained harm.

“A vulcanising workshop in the vicinity was also completely destroyed after a high-tension transmission line fell on it. The fallen line also landed on the vehicle that was burnt, and a spark reportedly ignited its tyre before the fire escalated within a short period.

“Preliminary findings point out that the incident resulted from the collapse of a concrete pole supporting a 33kV electrical energy transmission line. The influence reportedly generated sparks that affected close by properties and electrical home equipment, triggering the hearth outbreak.

“Given the electrical hazard posed by the fallen transmission line, the Kwara State Fire Service contacted the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) control room and requested the shutdown of the feeder supplying electricity to the affected area. This measure was necessary to create a safer environment for our firefighters to operate and manage the emergency effectively.”

The Chief Fire Officer, CFS Alabi Muhammed, expressed sympathy to the affected residents, property house owners and enterprise operators over the losses recorded within the incident.

He urged members of the general public to desist from erecting buildings, retailers and different buildings straight beneath high-tension electrical energy transmission strains.

Muhammed additional suggested property builders and residents to keep up the required security setbacks round electrical energy infrastructure in accordance with related rules.

The Chief Fire Officer emphasised that conserving a secure distance from transmission strains is crucial to lowering the danger {of electrical} accidents, fireplace outbreaks and harm to lives and property.

He additionally known as on residents to report fallen poles, broken electrical infrastructure and uncovered transmission strains instantly to the related authorities, whereas avoiding contact with fallen wires or any objects in touch with them.