Five-Year-Old Playing with Matches Sets Duplex on Fire in Ilorin, Nigeria
A five-year-old boy reportedly set a duplex on fire while playing with matchsticks on Monday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria.
The incident occurred at Abiodun Adebiyi Close, off Yidi Road in the Irewolede area of Ilorin West Local Government.
An eyewitness, Lanre Abdulrazaq, who was working nearby, recounted that thick smoke started billowing from the building, prompting residents to raise an alarm. “We didn’t know what caused the fire at first, but we quickly called for help. The fire service arrived and managed to contain it,” he said.
According to Hassan Adekunle, spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, investigations revealed that the fire started when the child accidentally dropped a lit match on a combustible material, which quickly escalated.
“At about 5:32 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025, we received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Abiodun Adebiyi Close. Our firefighters responded swiftly and found one room in a five-bedroom duplex engulfed in flames,” Adekunle stated. “Thanks to their expertise, the fire was contained before it spread to other rooms or nearby buildings.”
Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, commended the firefighters for their swift response and urged parents to keep matches away from children. “A single matchstick can destroy an entire building,” he warned.
The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property through professionalism and rapid emergency response.
