A fire broke out on Sunday night at the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin, the state capital, and destroyed a courtroom.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out just after 8 p.m. on Sunday, burning one courtroom before being brought under control by the State Fire Service.
The Kwara State incident service reported that the incident was started by a power surge in the Government Reserved Area, which houses the High Court building.
The rubble from the goods destroyed by the fire included two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, documents, and courtroom furniture.
The Kwara State Fire Service acknowledged the occurrence, stating that the fire only affected Courtroom No. 10 and that the fire service personnel’s quick response stopped the fire from spreading to neighbouring courts and offices.
According to Hassan Adekunle, State Fire Service spokesman and Head of Media and Publicity, the fire service personnel’s fast response saved more damage to the complex, which houses many courtrooms.
“On Sunday, 29th September 2024, at approximately 08:02 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a fire outbreak at the High Court in Ilorin. The fire truck, along with its crew, promptly left the station to mitigate the unfolding incident.
“Upon arrival at the scene, where the court premises house numerous courtrooms and offices, the fire had already engulfed Courtroom No. 10 and was poised to spread to adjacent courtrooms. Undeterred by the escalating situation, the brave firemen immediately sprang into action, successfully containing the fire and saving the Ilorin High Court from significant damage.
“Investigations revealed that the fire originated from a standing air conditioner due to a power surge,” the statement said.
Adekunle stated that the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, and the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, who were present at the scene, lauded the firefighters’ fast response.
He also stated that the Director of the State Fire Service, Falade John, has asked the general public to be safety vigilant at all times in order to prevent fire outbreaks.
