According to a news report from the Nigerian Sketch, an 86-year-old man sustained injuries during an inferno that engulfed a building on Saturday at No. 14 Afolayan Street, off Asa Dam Road in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The fire reportedly originated from the octogenarian’s cooking, resulting in burns to part of his head. The victim had momentarily stepped out while cooking, only to return and find his apartment ablaze within the 12-room building. Despite the distressing situation, he entered the burning flat, possibly to retrieve belongings, and suffered injuries, including burns to his hair.

Hassan Adekunle, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the incident. The injured man received prompt medical attention at the nearest hospital.

“Upon returning, he discovered his apartment was on fire in the 12 room building. In a state of distress, he entered the burning apartment, possibly to retrieve belongings, and suffered injuries, including burns to the hair on his head.

“The injured man was promptly taken to the nearest hospital to receive treatment for his injuries”, he said.

“Upon returning, he discovered his apartment was on fire in the 12 room building. In a state of distress, he entered the burning apartment, possibly to retrieve belongings, and suffered injuries, including burns to the hair on his head.

“The injured man was promptly taken to the nearest hospital to receive treatment for his injuries”, he said.

Adekunle added that “The director of the service, Prince Falade John, expressed sympathy over the incident and emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.

In recent days, Kwara State has experienced multiple fire incidents that have resulted in property damage and injuries to residents. These incidents have highlighted the importance of fire safety practices and awareness in the community.

From a building housing 40 rooms being engulfed in flames to an 86-year-old man sustaining injuries in a separate fire incident, these events underscore the need for vigilance and proper fire prevention measures.

The first incident involved a fire that broke out at a compound housing 40 rooms in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. The fire started due to a resident’s failure to properly extinguish a charcoal fire used for cooking, leading to significant damage to nine rooms within the building. The state fire service responded swiftly to mitigate the blaze and prevent further destruction. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident, but personal belongings and property were lost.

Both incidents serve as stark reminders of the importance of fire safety measures and awareness among residents. The need for proper handling of cooking fires, timely extinguishing of flames, and overall vigilance to prevent such disasters is crucial in safeguarding lives and property.