Housemaid ignites gas explosion, destroys four-bedroom flat in Ilorin
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
A housemaid accidentally set her employer’s four-bedroom flat ablaze in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday after a failed attempt to ignite a gas cooker. The incident occurred at No. 6, Phase 1, off Baba-Soja Street, Akerebiata, in the Ilorin East Local Government Area, around 10:42 AM.
According to a statement from the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire broke out when the maid attempted to light the gas cooker, unaware that the kitchen had already been filled with liquefied gas. After several failed attempts to strike the match, the gas finally ignited, causing an explosion that engulfed the entire structure.
The head of the Fire Service’s media and publicity department, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that the maid, who was caught in the fire, miraculously escaped unharmed. However, the flat suffered severe damage due to a delayed emergency response.
Upon receiving the emergency call, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly dispatched a crew to the scene. On arrival, they found the four-bedroom bungalow fully engulfed in flames. Despite the intensity of the fire, the firefighters managed to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings and eventually brought it under control.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, expressed his sympathy to those affected by the fire and reiterated the importance of safety precautions. He advised the public to always light matches before turning on gas appliances to avoid similar incidents in the future.
