A fire has ravaged a courtroom at the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin, the state capital, causing significant damage to documents and equipment. The incident occurred late on Sunday night, shortly after 8 pm, and was brought under control by the Kwara State Fire Service.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire completely destroyed Courtroom No. 10 before fire service personnel arrived on the scene. The fire, reportedly caused by a power surge, affected items including two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, documents, and other furniture in the courtroom.
In a statement, Hassan Adekunle, spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the incident and commended the swift response of the fire service, which prevented the blaze from spreading to other courtrooms and offices in the complex.
“The Kwara State Fire Service responded promptly to the fire at approximately 8:02 pm on Sunday, 29th September 2024,” Adekunle said. “Upon arrival, we found that Courtroom No. 10 had been fully engulfed in flames, but thanks to the timely intervention of our personnel, we were able to contain the fire before it could spread to nearby areas.”
Investigations revealed that the fire originated from a standing air conditioner due to a power surge. Adekunle also noted that the quick actions of the fire service prevented greater damage to the court complex, which houses multiple courtrooms and offices.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, and the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, were present at the scene and praised the firefighters for their prompt response.
Director of the State Fire Service, Falade John, also urged the public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious to avoid future fire outbreaks.
