A pressing iron triggered a fire outbreak in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday. The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 pm in a storey building located at Number 4, opposite Layo Hotel on Coca-Cola Road.

According to Hassan Adekunle, the spokesperson for the state fire service, the fire began in a laundry shop within the building, which consists of four-bedroom flats. The blaze was caused by a pressing iron that had been left plugged in and unattended, resulting in overheating and the ignition of nearby combustible materials.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and successfully contained the fire to a single flat, preventing it from spreading to the other sections of the building. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the neglected electrical appliance was the source of the ignition.

The Director of the State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, advised residents and business owners to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use, especially heat-generating devices such as pressing irons.

He emphasised that carelessness and negligence in the handling of electrical appliances remain common causes of avoidable fire incidents and urged the public to adopt safe practices at all times, the spokesperson added.