A five-year-old boy inadvertently ignited a fire in a duplex while playing with matches in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, on Monday.
The blaze broke out at Abiodun Adebiyi Close, located off Yidi Road in the Irewolede area of Ilorin West Local Government.
According to witnesses, the fire had fully engulfed one of the rooms before the Kwara State Fire Service arrived to contain the situation and prevent further damage.
Local resident Lanre Abdulrazaq, who was nearby when the incident occurred, described the scene: “We suddenly saw thick smoke billowing from the building and immediately raised the alarm for help. At first, we were unclear about the cause of the fire, but when the fire service arrived, they were able to manage the situation.”
Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the state fire service, confirmed that the fire was ignited when the child accidentally dropped a lit match onto a flammable surface, which led to the blaze.
In a statement issued late Monday, Adekunle recounted the timeline: “On February 3, 2025, at approximately 5:32 PM, we received a distress call regarding a fire at Abiodun Adebiyi Close. Our firefighters acted quickly and found one room in the five-bedroom duplex fully ablaze. They expertly contained the fire, stopping it from spreading to other rooms and nearby properties.
Thanks to their prompt response, only one room sustained damage.”
Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, commended the firefighters for their quick action and emphasized the importance of fire safety in the community. He also urged parents to keep matches out of children’s reach, cautioning that a single match could lead to significant destruction.
Adekunle reiterated the fire service’s pledge to protect lives and property through swift and professional emergency response.