Date: 2021-08-12

The First City Monument Bank, located on Murtala Mohammed Road in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, was gutted by fire on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire outbreak occurred at about 3.20 p.m.

Customers and staff of the bank were seen scampering for safety following the fire incident.

The timely arrival of the state fire service personnel at about 3.28 p.m saved the situation.

Residents in the area first noticed thick smoke emitting from the back of the bank building.

The fire was put off at about 3.00p.m, our correspondent who was at the scene of the incident reports.

The fire, according to sources within the bank, started in a location close to the toilet inside the bank.

Banking services were suspended as officials pleaded with customers to come on Thursday.

When contacted, the branch manager, who refused to talk on the development, said "we have an emergency at hand, I can't say anything now until we have put the situation under control please."

Fire service officials who came to the rescue also could not be reached for their comments at the time of this report.