A fire outbreak on Sunday night gutted a courtroom at the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin, causing significant damage to critical documents and electronics. The incident, which occurred around 8:00 PM, was reportedly triggered by a power surge in the area, resulting in the destruction of courtroom No. 10 before the fire was successfully contained by the Kwara State Fire Service.
Among the items destroyed were two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, vital legal documents, and furniture. The fire service’s quick response, however, prevented the blaze from spreading to other courtrooms and offices within the complex.
The spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident, noting that the prompt intervention of the fire crew averted further damage. “Upon arrival, our team was able to prevent the fire from spreading beyond courtroom No. 10, which was already engulfed in flames. The fire was traced back to a power surge that affected a standing air conditioner,” Adekunle stated.
The fire service lauded the swift action of its personnel, who managed to save the majority of the court premises from potential destruction, emphasizing that the response averted a much larger disaster.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged caution in the use of electrical appliances, especially in government buildings, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
