40 Offices, 3 Open Courtrooms Gutted by Fire at Kwara High Court Complex

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Forty offices and three open courtrooms were damaged in a fire outbreak at the Kwara State High Court Complex, Ilorin on Tuesday.

Also affected by the inferno are the court registry department and litigation office.

The incident, according to THISDAY checks, was caused by a power surge that occurred in one of the offices of the court complex  around 7.33 a.m.

Following the development, the state fire service rushed to the scene so as to prevent the inferno from affecting the whole court complex.

A statement issued in Ilorin Tuesday by the Head of Media and Publicity of the state Fire Service, Mr. Hakeem Adekunle, said that the efforts of the firefighters prevented the entire court complex from being razed by the inferno.

The statement read: “On the morning of February 13th, 2024, at 07:33 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at the state High Court in Ilorin. 

“Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to find the imposing state High Court building ablaze. 

“This building, housing 40 offices and 3 open courtrooms, were in peril, with the registry department and litigation office particularly affected by the inferno.

“With commendable courage and determination, the firefighters immediately commenced their efforts to combat the raging flames. 

“Working tirelessly, they skillfully navigated through the burning structure, deploying their expertise and resources to contain and extinguish the fire.

“Despite the daunting challenges they faced, the firefighters succeeded in saving the state High Court from complete devastation, preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss.

“Subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it was triggered by a power surge, highlighting the importance of electrical safety measures.”