A 73-year-old man identified as Pastor Awolola has lost his life in a tragic fire incident in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The tragic incident occurred at about 11:58 a.m. on Monday along Cemetery Road in the Irewolede area of the Ilorin metropolis.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesman of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the victim reportedly ignited undergrowth on a parcel of land he owned, where an incomplete building with a perimeter fence and gated entrance was located.
Adekunle explained that the fire spread rapidly, trapping the elderly man inside the premises.
“Pastor Awolola reportedly set undergrowth on fire on a parcel of land he owned, where an incomplete building with a perimeter fence and gated entrance was located.
“Findings revealed that the undergrowth fire spread rapidly and engulfed the only exit from the premises,” he said.
The spokesman added that the victim attempted to escape through the perimeter fence, but the flames had already advanced to that point.
“In an attempt to escape, the victim tried to leave through the fence, but the fire had already advanced to that point, resulting in his death,” Adekunle stated.
He said firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire promptly, preventing it from spreading to adjoining properties.
“The lifeless body was recovered and handed over to the community chairman, Mr Sunday Nuha, for further necessary action,” he added.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, expressed deep sadness over the loss and warned members of the public against bush and undergrowth burning.
He described the practice as extremely dangerous and unpredictable, especially during dry and windy conditions.
According to him, such fires often result in avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property.
The director urged residents to adopt safer land-clearing alternatives and to promptly alert fire authorities whenever a fire outbreak occurs.
