Fire engulfs residential building after transmission line falls
A late-night fire outbreak on Thursday razed parts of a residential compound in the Asa-Dam area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, following the collapse of a high-tension transmission line on the premises.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the incident occurred at about 9:12pm at Alfa Olorunkemi Compound, located behind the Kwara State House of Assembly.
The fire, which broke out in a building comprising three units of three-bedroom apartments, was triggered when a 33kVA power line fell and made contact with a plastic overhead water tank within the compound.
Upon receiving the distress call, firefighters were swiftly mobilized to the scene.
However, their efforts were initially hampered by the continued power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), which posed serious safety risks and made firefighting operations difficult.
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The Head of Media and Publicity for the State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, disclosed that the control room of the IBEDC was immediately contacted to shut down the feeder supplying electricity to the area.
Once power was cut off, the fire crew successfully brought the situation under control and prevented further damage to the property, he added.
Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, commended the prompt response of his personnel and called for increased public awareness about electrical safety.
He warned against constructing buildings under or close to transmission lines, stressing that such practices pose significant threats to lives and properties.
Residents in the area have called on authorities to intensify efforts in monitoring and maintaining power infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.
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