A fallen 33kV electricity line has sparked a fire that destroyed a vehicle and a vulcanising workshop while damaging residential buildings and businesses in Oloje Phase 2, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred early Tuesday on Lawyer Lambo Street in Ilorin West Local Government Area after a concrete pole supporting the high-voltage line reportedly collapsed.
The Kwara State Fire Service disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday through its spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, who said firefighters arrived at the scene at 2:41 a.m. following a distress call.
According to the statement, the fire affected three buildings, including two four-bedroom flats and a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment. Community members reportedly rescued the occupants of the self-contained apartment.
Three vehicles were parked inside one of the four-bedroom flats when the fire broke out. One was completely burnt, while firefighters saved the other two.
The second four-bedroom flat sustained damage, particularly in the kitchen, where electrical appliances, including a freezer, were affected. Its solar power system was also damaged.
An adjoining travel and tours office lost its solar power system, four tubular batteries and other electrical appliances, while a nearby vulcanising workshop was destroyed.
How the Fire Started
The fire service said preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed concrete pole caused the 33kV electricity line to fall onto a vehicle.
“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,” the agency said.
The fallen power line also posed a safety risk to firefighters, prompting the agency to contact the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) control room to request the shutdown of the electricity feeder supplying the affected area.
Fire Service Warns Residents
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, expressed sympathy with residents, property owners and business operators affected by the incident.
He cautioned residents against erecting structures beneath high-tension electricity lines and urged property developers to maintain the required safety setbacks around electricity infrastructure.
Muhammed also advised residents to report fallen poles, damaged electrical infrastructure and exposed power lines to the relevant authorities.
He warned the public against touching fallen wires or objects in contact with them to avoid electrocution.
Incident Follows Another Fire in Ilorin
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after another fire destroyed a building comprising three-bedroom flats in Kangile Village, Ilorin South Local Government Area, on Monday.
The fire service did not disclose whether the two incidents were connected.
