Five-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Sets Duplex on Fire in Ilorin

A five-year-old boy reportedly set a duplex on fire while playing with matchsticks on Monday in Ilorin, Kwara State, causing significant damage before firefighters contained the blaze.
The incident occurred at Abiodun Adebiyi Close, off Yidi Road, Irewolede area, in Ilorin West Local Government Area, where one of the rooms in the five-bedroom duplex was completely burnt. An eyewitness, Lanre Abdulrazaq, said thick smoke was seen billowing from the building before the fire service arrived to prevent further destruction.
\The spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that the fire was triggered when the child dropped a lit matchstick on a combustible material. Firefighters responded swiftly to the distress call at 5:32 PM, successfully containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building or neighboring properties.
Commending the firefighters for their prompt action, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, urged parents to keep matches away from children, emphasizing the dangers of fire hazards. The fire service reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property through professionalism and rapid emergency response.