An inferno that erupted at the popular Mandate Ultra-Modern Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Tuesday morning has reportedly destroyed twenty-four (24) shops.
Hassan Adekunle, the Kwara State Fire Service spokesperson explained in an official statement released to the public that firefighters received a distress call at about 4:44 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene to put the fire at bay.
“The magnitude of destruction was largely intensified due to the late call made to the Fire Service, as the fire had already spread significantly before firefighters arrived at the scene,”
“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,”
“The fire reportedly started in a shop where phone accessories were sold alongside a phone-charging business before spreading to nearby shops used for storing foodstuffs and other commodities,”