Fire guts courtroom in Kwara, burns documents, electronics

On the night of Sunday, September 29, 2024, a courtroom at the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin was consumed by flames following a sudden power surge that ignited a fire. The incident took place at approximately 8:02 PM, and by the time the Kwara State Fire Service arrived, the fire had already engulfed courtroom No. 10.

Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze, which started in one of the air conditioners in the courtroom, spread rapidly, feeding on flammable items such as documents, furniture, and electronics. Two air conditioners, a plasma television, fans, and important legal records were reduced to ashes before firefighters could gain control of the situation. The swift action of the firemen prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent courtrooms and offices, limiting the damage to courtroom No. 10.

In a statement issued by the Kwara State Fire Service, the spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, praised the quick and efficient response of the fire crew, who worked tirelessly to extinguish the blaze and protect the rest of the court complex. He noted that while significant damage was sustained in the affected courtroom, the rest of the building remained intact, thanks to the fire service’s intervention.

The cause of the fire was traced to a power surge that overloaded the air conditioning unit, sparking a fire that quickly escalated due to the abundance of flammable materials in the courtroom. The court, which houses many critical offices and legal proceedings, narrowly avoided a much larger catastrophe.

Residents of Ilorin were shaken by the news of the fire, as the High Court is a central institution in the city. Officials are now reviewing safety measures within government buildings to prevent future incidents like this from happening.