A five-year-old boy accidentally set a duplex on fire while playing with matchsticks on Monday in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred at Abiodun Adebiyi Close, off Yidi Road, in the Irewolede area of Ilorin West Local Government.
One room in the five-bedroom duplex was completely destroyed, causing significant property damage before firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service intervened to save the rest of the building.

A witness, Lanre Abdulrazaq, who was working nearby, recounted the moment the fire broke out.
“We just noticed thick smoke coming from the building. We raised an alarm to alert people for a rescue operation.
“We didn’t know the cause at first, but later, the fire service arrived and managed to contain it,” he said.
Fire Service Confirms Cause
A spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed that the fire was caused by a five-year-old boy who accidentally dropped a lit matchstick on combustible material, igniting the flames.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started when the child, playing with matches, unknowingly dropped a lit stick on a flammable material,” Adekunle said.
The fire broke out at 5:32 pm on Monday, February 3, 2025.
“Our firefighters responded swiftly and arrived at the scene to find one room engulfed in flames.
“Through expertise and technical precision, the team worked tirelessly to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Thanks to their rapid response, only one room was affected,” he added.
Authorities Warn Against Fire Hazards
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, commended the firefighters for their swift and tactical response.
He urged the public to prioritise fire safety, advising parents to keep matches away from children, warning that “a single matchstick could destroy an entire building.”
Adekunle reaffirmed the fire service’s commitment to protecting lives and property through professionalism and rapid emergency response.