The Kwara State Fire Service on Sunday contained a major fire outbreak at a plastic recycling facility situated at Madfa Nigeria Enterprises, Olorunsogo, Biada area, Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The swift response of the emergency personnel was said to have prevented what could have been extensive loss of lives and property.
It was gathered that the blaze was triggered by welding activities inside the facility, where sparks from a welding electrode fell onto stacked plastic materials, igniting the fire and causing it to spread rapidly.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the Head of Media and Publicity for the service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, stated that the affected building was used for plastic recycling, noting that the fire spread quickly due to the presence of highly combustible plastic materials.
He explained that firefighters responded promptly to the distress call and deployed two fire trucks to the scene, which helped bring the inferno under control.
“The fire was intense due to the nature of the materials involved, but the professional and gallant efforts of our firefighters significantly reduced its impact and prevented it from spreading to adjoining structures,” the statement said.
The Service praised the dedication and resilience of the officers on duty, noting that their coordinated efforts were key to bringing the fire under control.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze was caused by ongoing welding activities at the facility. Reports suggest that sparks from a welding electrode fell onto stacked plastic materials, igniting the fire and allowing it to spread rapidly.
In response to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, urged industrial operators and artisans to exercise caution during welding and other high-risk activities.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise companies to strictly observe fire safety protocols, including clearing combustible materials from welding areas, using fire-resistant shields and ensuring the availability of fire extinguishers,” he said.
Falade emphasized that strict compliance with safety standards would greatly reduce industrial fire outbreaks across the state, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and industrial assets in Kwara State.
