A containerised supermarket in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been destroyed after a fire believed to have been triggered by a spark from a high-tension electricity transmission line engulfed the structure in the early hours of Sunday.
The incident occurred along Lubcon Road in the Mandate Area of Ilorin, Kwara state, raising fresh concerns over the dangers of erecting commercial structures beneath power transmission infrastructure.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the development, saying firefighters were mobilised immediately after receiving a distress call at about 3:08 a.m.
According to the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, the affected structure was a container shop operating as a supermarket and located close to Peace Pharmacy on Lubcon Road.
“A fire outbreak occurred at a supermarket container located adjacent to Peace Pharmacy, Lubcon Road, Mandate Area, Ilorin, Kwara State,” Adekunle said.
He explained that preliminary investigations pointed to a spark from a high-tension transmission line situated directly above the supermarket as the likely cause of the inferno.
“Initial findings revealed that the fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark from a high-tension transmission line located directly above the supermarket. The spark reportedly fell on nearby combustible materials, igniting them and subsequently leading to the outbreak of the fire,” he stated.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to nearby shops and other properties in the busy commercial area.
Officials said the quick response prevented what could have become a larger disaster, especially given the concentration of businesses and residential structures within the vicinity.
“Upon arrival, firefighters promptly brought the fire under control and successfully prevented it from spreading to adjoining shops and other valuable properties within the vicinity,” Adekunle added.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, renewed warnings against the construction of shops and buildings under or close to high-tension electricity lines.
He said such locations remain vulnerable to electrical faults, sparks and other hazards capable of causing devastating fires.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid constructing shops, buildings, or business premises directly under or too close to high-tension transmission lines, as such locations pose serious fire and safety hazards,” Muhammed said.
The latest fire adds to a growing number of fire-related emergencies recorded in Ilorin in recent months. Earlier this month, firefighters battled a residential building blaze, while other incidents linked to electrical faults and power surges have also been reported across the state capital.
Authorities have not announced the monetary value of losses recorded in Sunday’s incident, and no casualties were reported.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property through rapid emergency response and sustained public enlightenment campaigns on fire prevention and safety.
