,,,, Government shows concern, orders SEMA to assess damage.
By Taiwo Niyi in Ilorin.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2024, Ilorin, kwara state capital witnessed a near-catastrophic fire that could have claimed lives and caused unimaginable damage. But as with many monumental disasters, mercy intervened. At precisely 10:16 AM, a distress call reached the Kwara State Fire Service, alerting them to a fire in the bustling Ita-Amodu area. What followed was nothing short of a miracle—an extraordinary display of courage, quick thinking, and divine protection.
The fire originated from a lorry overloaded with mattresses, which, after colliding with a high-tension wire, sparked an inferno that threatened the very heart of the neighborhood. The flames spread like wildfire, quickly engulfing a nearby building that housed 47 rooms and 19 shops. The highly flammable mattresses fueled the blaze, while an explosion from a nearby step-down transformer only added to the chaos.
However, thanks to the swift and heroic actions of the Kwara State Fire Service, the situation, though dire, was managed with precision. Under the leadership of Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, and his dedicated team, the fire was contained before it could claim lives but many properties were lost to the inferno.
In a race against time, the fire service managed to save 12 shops and 31 rooms, while 7 shops and 16 rooms suffered damage. The courage displayed by the firefighters, working in the face of a rapidly escalating inferno, cannot be overstated. Their quick response averted what could have been a far worse tragedy. No lives were lost in the disaster, a testament to the mercy of God and the unwavering determination of the fire service.
Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service,in a statement signed by Hassan Hakeem Adekunle,
Head, Media and Publicity for Director, Kwara State Fire Service emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing safety to prevent such incidents in the future.
Obviously this fire is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance. Residents must ensure that safety is a priority, whether at home or in business. Lives were spared in the disaster but people must remain ever vigilant to prevent future disasters.
While this incident will undoubtedly remain in the memories of those affected, the true miracle lies in the preservation of life.
The residents of Ile Bilewu and the surrounding areas owe a debt of gratitude not only to the brave fire service team but also to the divine mercy that watched over them during this overwhelming disaster with renewed appreciation for the fragile gift of life and the power of mercy in the face of disaster.
Meanwhile,Kwara State Government has expressed deep sympathy with victims of Ita Amodu Fire Disaster and directed SEMA to assesses the damage.
In a compassionate show of support, officials from the Kwara State Government on Tuesday visited Bilewu Compound in Ita Amodu, Ilorin South Local Government, to console victims of a devastating fire disaster that occurred earlier in the day.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragic incident began when an overloaded truck came into contact with electrical cables, sparking a fire that engulfed two residential buildings and eight shops, leaving significant destruction in its wake.
A delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, included Senior Advisor and Counselor Sa’adu Salau, Special Adviser on Special Duties Alhaji Abdulrazhaq Jiddah, and other key officials. They were dispatched by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to offer heartfelt condolences and assure the victims of the government’s unwavering support.
“We are here on behalf of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to express our deep sympathy to the Balogun Afin and the entire community, particularly those directly impacted by this unfortunate disaster,” Mahe stated. He further assured that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had been instructed to take full inventory of the damage to expedite assistance.
The community head, Balogun Afin Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad Nuhu, expressed gratitude for the swift response, praising the Governor’s prompt action as a beacon of hope for the affected families.
One of the victims, Mrs. Akukwe Florence Ebelechukwu, tearfully recounted the loss of goods worth millions of naira from her shop, appealing to the government and kind-hearted individuals for urgent help.
In a world where disasters can often lead to devastation, the remarkable escape of people from death reminds us that sometimes, divine intervention and human courage go hand in hand, sparing us from the brink of tragedy.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
