A 73-year-old cleric, identified as Pastor Awolola, has tragically lost his life in a fire incident at his farm located along Cemetery Road, in the Irewolede area of Ilorin.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the recovery of the deceased's body on Monday, January 26, 2026. According to the service spokesperson, Hakeem Adekunle, the agency received a distress call and immediately dispatched a team to the scene.

Investigations revealed that Pastor Awolola had set fire to weeds on his fenced parcel of land earlier that day. However, the undergrowth fire spread with unexpected speed, fueled by the dry harmattan season, and quickly blocked the only exit from the premises.

In a desperate bid to save his life, the elderly man reportedly tried to scale the perimeter fence, but he was overtaken by the advancing flames before he could escape.

"Findings revealed that the fire had already advanced to the point where the victim tried to scale the fence, resulting in his death," Adekunle stated. While firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings, they unfortunately found the Pastor's lifeless body within the enclosure.

The body has been handed over to the community chairman, Sunday Nuha, for further action. The Fire Service has once again warned residents especially elderly persons to avoid solo bush-burning exercises during the current dry season to prevent similar tragedies.

Reacting to the incident, the director of the agency, Alabi Muhammed, warned residents against bush burning due to its attendant dangers.

"He emphasised that such practices are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, especially during dry and windy conditions, and often result in avoidable loss of lives and property. He urged residents to adopt safer land-clearing alternatives and to promptly report any fire outbreak.

"The Kwara State Fire Service reiterates its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state," Adekunle stated.

This is not the first fatal fire incident recorded in Kwara State.

PUNCH Metro reported in December 2024 that a fire outbreak at No. 158, Alaparun Compound, Isale Alore, in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state, claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, simply identified as Abdulfatai.

The fire reportedly engulfed a house comprising 35 rooms.