By Gbenga Sodeinde
80-year-old woman identified as Alhaja Magaji, has died in a fire disaster in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
The fire disaster occurred at about 15hours (3pm) at No. 43, Adegboye Street, behind the Federal Secretariat, Fate area of Ilorin metropolis on Sunday.
The woman who was recovered dead was reportedly trapped by the heavy smoke from the inferno and could not trace the staircase to escape.
The spokesman of the Kwara state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident said firefighters doused the fire and prevented a major disaster in the area.
He said the fire incident was reported by one Mr Oni at about 15:00 hours.
Hassan, said although the cause of fire was yet to be ascertained, it was however confined to the first floor of the storey building where it originated from.
Out of four flats in the storey building only one flat was affected, with the Federal fire service also in attendance, he added.
The spokesman disclosed that “due to delay in distress call, the raging fire caused severe damage to the buildings and a woman of about 80 years old was recovered from the building and suspected dead before the spread of the fire was confined and eventually subdued.”
In a related development, another fire outbreak was also recorded on Sunday at a residential building at Olanipekun Hospital G.R.A, Opposite Oyeleke Memorial College Offa, Offa Local Government in Kwara state.
The fire involved a storey building of about 16 bedrooms, but only eight bedrooms were affected as a result of power surge
“Total estimated property saved is N62.8 million, while total estimated property lost is put at N17.2 million.” he further disclosed.
Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, charged the general public against bad housekeeping, and warned them to be more safety conscious at various homes.