Fire guts 23-room hotel in Kwara

A dawn fire on Tuesday nearly razed the popular Ebunlomo Hotel and Resort in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The fire was, however, curtailed by the operatives of the state Fire Service stopped the flames before they reached the 23-room accommodation block.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the fire, which started around 5:07 am, gutted the bar section and an adjoining store.

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said in a statement on Tuesday that firefighters arrived promptly and “implemented a coordinated strategy that prevented the blaze from spreading further.”

He stated, “Initial findings showed that the incident was triggered by a power surge, which ignited the bar and store sections.

“The swift response of the operatives prevented ‘what could have been a massive loss of property,” he said.

The Director of the service, Prince Falade John, cautioned hotel operators and residents against ignoring electrical safety measures.

John said, “We advise that all commercial or residential properties should be equipped with surge protectors and functional circuit breakers.”

John also emphasised the need for regular checks, saying, “Routine electrical maintenance is essential. Early detection and proper safety practices remain the most effective ways to prevent devastating fires.”

He assured that the service would continue to prioritise the protection of lives and property across the state.

On Monday, a fire outbreak destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the Rumuola axis of Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State on Sunday night.