Wild fire at the COVID-19 Centre, Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin, the state capital on Tuesday destroyed some rooms and beds in the hospital.
According to sources around the Alagbado area in Ilorin East local government where the hospital was located which was corroborated by the state fire service and the Hospital Management Board, the fire was noticed in the morning at about 8. 45am by residents living around the area.
“We just noticed that the hospital wards was on fire and the people were shouting and raised alarm on the fire incident. The fire affected two wards before it was put under control by firemen who came to the scene later”, a source who did not want his name in print told Punch Metro.
The source said that the fire spread to the hospital from a bush which was set on fire near the hospital by unknown animal hunters.
A statement signed by Ladi Alao on behalf of the Kwara state Hospital Management Board said, “the incident was reported to the Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, who immediately contacted the Kwara State Fire Service at 8:47a.m.
“Operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service were at the scene at 9:03a.m. to put out the fire. We are indeed impressed by the speed, commitment, and professionalism of the fire service. We thank the Fire Service for the promptness!
“The cause of the fire was still unknown at the time of this press release. Investigation is ongoing by the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board in collaboration with the Kwara State Fire Service to unravel the cause of the fire.”
Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara state Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle who confirmed the incident said “Upon arrival, the firemen found one of the six wards ablaze and immediately began firefighting efforts to contain and extinguish the flames, showcasing their expertise to prevent extensive damage.
“Investigation revealed an unidentified person had set an undergrowth on fire, which then spread to the COVID-19 Centre ward. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were recorded”, Adekunle said.
He said that “the Director of Kwara State Fire Service Prince Falade Olumuyiwa took this opportunity to advise the people of kwara at large to prioritize safety also urged the general public to be more careful in their day-to-day activities and they should desist from sending under Age children to fetch water in domestic well.
Falade also warned Animal hunters to desist from setting bush on fire during the current dry season.
