A fire broke out on Sunday night in the Kwara State High Court Complex in the state capital of Ilorin which destroyed a courtroom.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out just after 8 pm on Sunday, completely ruining one courtroom before the State Fire Service was able to put it out.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the High Court complex is located in the Government Reserved Area, and a power surge there is what started the fire.
The rubble from the items destroyed in the fire included two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, documents, and furniture kept in the courtroom.
Only Courtroom No. 10 was affected by the fire, according to the Kwara State Fire Service, which also noted that the firefighters’ quick action stopped the fire from spreading to additional courtrooms and offices.
A statement by the spokesman for the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity, said the quick response of the fire service personnel prevented further damage to the complex, which houses several 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 mentioned that the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Abiodun Adebara, who were at the scene, praised the prompt intervention of the firefighters.
He added that the Director of the State Fire Service, Falade John, urged the general public to remain safety-conscious at all times to prevent fire outbreaks.
