A devastating fire, ignited by unknown individuals in Ilorin, Kwara State, has resulted in significant destruction, consuming a block of classrooms at Grace International School in the Tanke area, as well as four rooms at the Akumaju compound in the Ita-Amodu area of Ilorin West local government area. The incident occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire originated from an undergrowth and refuse dump, with the blaze at Grace International School consuming nine out of its 14 classrooms. The firefighters, alerted to the scene on Sunday evening, swiftly responded to the distress call, demonstrating their expertise and dedication in combating the inferno. Despite their efforts, a significant portion of the school infrastructure was lost to the flames.
In a statement released by the Head of Media and Publicity, Hassan Adekunle, it was revealed that the fire at the school was determined to have been deliberately set ablaze by an unidentified individual, before spreading rapidly to the classrooms. Similarly, another fire incident at the Akumaju compound in Ita-Amodu area, reported in the early hours of Monday, resulted in the destruction of three out of the six rooms.
Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, extended his condolences to those affected by the fire, stressing the importance of public vigilance and safety consciousness. He urged citizens to remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents and emphasized the need for collective efforts in fostering a fire-conscious community. Falade also advised the public to exercise caution in their day-to-day activities to mitigate the risk of such disasters in the future.