A fire outbreak triggered by a spark from a high-tension electricity transmission line has destroyed a containerised supermarket along Lubcon Road in the Mandate Area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
PUNCH Online gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when the affected supermarket was engulfed by flames, causing significant damage to goods and property.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin.
According to the statement, the state fire service received a distress call at about 3:08 a.m. and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene to contain the inferno.
The statement read, “A fire outbreak occurred at a supermarket container located adjacent to Peace Pharmacy, Lubcon Road, Mandate Area, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
“The incident involved a containerised shop being used as a supermarket, which was affected by the fire before emergency responders arrived at the scene.”
Adekunle disclosed that preliminary investigations pointed to a spark from a high-tension transmission line situated directly above the structure as the likely cause of the blaze.
“Initial findings revealed that the fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark from a high-tension transmission line located directly above the supermarket.
“The spark reportedly fell on nearby combustible materials, igniting them and subsequently leading to the outbreak of the fire,” he said.
He noted that the swift intervention of firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to nearby businesses and properties, thereby averting a potentially larger disaster.
“Upon arrival, firefighters promptly brought the fire under control and successfully prevented it from spreading to adjoining shops and other valuable properties within the vicinity,” Adekunle added.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, warned residents and business owners against erecting structures beneath or close to high-tension power lines.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid constructing shops, buildings, or business premises directly under or too close to high-tension transmission lines, as such locations pose serious fire and safety hazards.
“Compliance with approved siting regulations and safety standards remains critical to preventing avoidable fire incidents and protecting lives and property,” Muhammad said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through prompt emergency response and sustained public enlightenment on fire prevention measures.
The latest incident adds to the growing number of fire outbreaks recorded in Ilorin in recent months.
Last Sunday, firefighters battled a morning blaze that destroyed parts of a residential building, affecting a room and a store before the fire was contained.
Similarly, on Thursday, a fire reportedly caused by a child playing with a lighter gutted a section of a residential building in the state capital, affecting one room.
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