Date: 2021-06-30

Between January and June, this year, a total of 81 fire outbreaks were recorded in Kwara State.

LEADERSHIP investigation showed that during the period under review, three lives were lost to the incidents while 82 lives were saved. Also, property worth N3,033,665,00 were lost to the fire incidents while property worth N10,612,625,00 were saved.

It was gathered that the State Fire Service received 91 emergency calls and 81 fire calls during the period under review.

The emergency calls received by the Fire Service are as follows: January, 19; February, 30; March, 11; April, 21; May, 8; and June, 2. The fire calls received during the period are as follows: January, 16; February, 28; March, 11; April,18; May, 6; and June, 2.

Meanwhile, the state government is set to establish additional two fire service centres in an effort to combat fire outbreaks.

The state director of fire service, Mr Falade Olumuyiwa said the centres would be established in Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts. "The centres will be established at Bode-Saadu and Share, headquarters of Moro and lfelodun local government areas of the state respectively", Olumuyiwa said.

He said that the centres would be equipped with modern fire fighting equipment that would stand the test of time. He advised residents to abide by safety guidelines in order to curb fire outbreaks, noting that there had been upsurge in fire outbreaks in the state, especially at major markets.