A room in a residential building in Ilorin, Kwara State, was gutted by fire after a spark from solar wiring ignited combustible materials, the Kwara State Fire Service has said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at No. 38 Oluwalogbon Street, in the Ijooro area of Asa-Dam, Ilorin.
According to the fire service, it received a distress call about the incident and arrived at the scene at about 4:14pm.
Firefighters immediately commenced operations to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building.
The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the affected building consisted of approximately three-bedroom flats, with the fire limited to one of the rooms.
“Our firefighters swiftly commenced firefighting operations and successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building,” the statement said.
A preliminary investigation by the fire service indicated that the blaze was caused by a spark from the solar wiring, which came into contact with combustible materials in the room.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and urged residents to pay closer attention to the safety of their solar and electrical installations.
He advised property owners to engage qualified professionals for solar and electrical installations and ensure that damaged or faulty wiring is repaired promptly.
The fire service also stressed the importance of regular maintenance of solar and electrical systems, warning that improper installation and poorly maintained wiring could increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
No casualty was reported in the incident.
The latest fire highlights growing safety concerns around electrical and solar installations in homes and other buildings, particularly where wiring is improperly installed or not adequately maintained.