A pressing iron on Saturday triggered a fire outbreak in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The incident occurred at No. 4, opposite Layo Hotel, Coca-Cola Road, in the Ilorin metropolis at about 1:50 pm, in a building comprising four-bedroom flats.
According to the spokesperson of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, the pressing iron had been plugged in and left unattended in a laundry shop, leading to overheating and the ignition of nearby combustible materials.
“The incident involved a storey building comprising four flats, where one flat was affected by the fire.
“Firefighters swiftly arrived at the scene and successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the remaining flats within the building.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a pressing iron that was plugged in and left unattended in a laundry shop, which led to overheating and ignition of nearby combustible materials,” he said.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, advised residents and business owners to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use, especially heat-generating devices such as pressing irons.
He emphasised that carelessness and negligence in the handling of electrical appliances remain common causes of avoidable fire incidents and urged the public to adopt safe practices at all times, the spokesperson added.
