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Scene of the fire incident at the Mandate ultramodern Market in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Credit: Kwara State Fire Service
No fewer than 24 shops were destroyed in a devastating fire outbreak that swept through parts of the popular Mandate Ultra‑Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, in the early hours of Tuesday.
PUNCH Online gathered that the incident, which affected sections of the ultra‑modern market housing over 200 shops, threw traders into panic as flames engulfed stores containing phone accessories, foodstuffs and other valuable goods.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters received a distress call at about 4:44 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to contain the inferno.
Scene of the fire incident at the Mandate ultramodern Market in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Credit: Kwara State Fire ServiceHassan said, “The magnitude of destruction was largely intensified due to the late call made to the Fire Service, as the fire had already spread significantly before firefighters arrived at the scene.”
He, however, noted that firefighters prevented the incident from escalating further across the market complex.
“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” the spokesperson added.
According to him, preliminary findings revealed that the outbreak was triggered by a power surge.
“The fire reportedly started in a shop where phone accessories were sold alongside a phone charging business, before spreading to nearby shops used for storing foodstuffs and other commodities,” Hassan explained.
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