Residents of Al Mustafa Street in the Olorunsogo area of Ilorin, Kwara State, were thrown into panic in the early hours of Sunday after a 12.5kg gas cylinder began leaking profusely inside a residential building.

However, tragedy was averted due to the swift and professional intervention of men from the Kwara State Fire Service, who safely removed the cylinder and prevented what could have been a deadly explosion.

The incident, which occurred around 3:32 a.m., involved a two flat residential building. The occupants noticed the gas leaking from their cylinder and immediately raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to evacuate the premises before the firefighters arrived at the scene.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said the firemen's prompt response prevented a major disaster.

"Our officers responded swiftly after receiving the distress call. They acted with professionalism and technical expertise to remove the leaking gas cylinder from the kitchen to a safe open area," Adekunle said.

He added that the quick thinking of the residents, who immediately alerted the service, contributed significantly to the successful operation.

"The cooperation of the occupants and neighbours really helped us to act fast. We always encourage residents to call the fire service as soon as they notice danger, even before it escalates," he noted.

Speaking on the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, described the rescue operation as "a timely intervention that saved lives and property from what could have been a catastrophic explosion."

He warned against the dangerous practice of keeping gas cylinders inside kitchens, urging residents to take fire safety seriously.

"It is extremely risky to keep a gas cylinder in the kitchen. A single spark can lead to an explosion.

"We strongly advise that all gas cylinders be kept outside the kitchen, with only the hose extended inside for use. This will make it easier to detect leaks and control the situation," Olumuyiwa said.

He further stressed that the agency would intensify its public sensitisation campaigns to prevent such incidents.

"We'll continue to educate the public through community engagements and media programmes. Fire safety is everyone's responsibility, and we want residents to adopt preventive habits rather than wait for emergencies," he added.

A resident of the area, Mrs Aminat Abdulkareem, who witnessed the operation, praised the firefighters for their courage and quick response.

"We were really scared when the smell of gas filled the air. Everyone ran out of their homes," she said. "Thank God the fire service came on time. If they had delayed, the story could have been different."

PUNCH Metro reports that the Kwara State Fire Service had recently responded to several gas-related emergencies in Ilorin and other parts of the state, often caused by poor handling, leakages, and unsafe storage of cylinders.