Three children have lost their lives in a tragic fire outbreak that gutted parts of a storey building in Laduba community, Ogidi area of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred at the weekend at about 6:46 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at No. 1 Popo Street, beside Ojere Junction, prompting an emergency response from the Kwara State Fire Service.
The Public Relations Officer and Head of the Media Unit of the Service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday said the fire outbreak was caused by alleged storage of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, inside a shop.
Adekunle said that the affected building contained five rooms and six shops, with three of the ground-floor shops razed by the inferno.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that a woman had purchased about 50 litres of petrol and stored it inside one of the shops where her three children were sleeping.
Trouble started when sparks from a nearby charcoal stove, being used by another woman in an adjoining shop, spread to the petrol storage area, triggering a powerful explosion and subsequent fire.
The fire claimed the lives of three children identified as Abdulraman Jamiu Jeje, aged eight; Islamiya Abdulwahab, 17, the daughter of the shop owner; and Hadizah AbdulAzeez Raji, 17.
“On Saturday, 17th January 2026, at 18:46hrs, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a tragic fire incident at No. 1 Popo Street, beside Ojere Junction, Laduba Community, Ogidi Area, Ilorin, Kwara State,” the statement read.
“The incident involved a storey building comprising about five (5) rooms and six (6) shops, with three (3) shops on the ground floor affected by the fire.
“Preliminary findings revealed that a woman with three children had purchased about 50 litres of petrol, which was stored inside a shop where the children were sleeping. Adjacent to the shop, another woman was cooking with charcoal, and embers/sparks from the charcoal fire spread to the area where the petrol was stored, triggering an explosion and subsequent fire outbreak.
“Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of three children, while a passerby who attempted to rescue the victims sustained injuries and was hospitalized before the arrival of the Fire Service. The deceased victims were recovered and handed over to the community chairman, Mr. Saadu Abdulrahim.
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“The deceased are: Abdulraman Jamiu Jeje, 8 years, Islamiya Abdulwahab, 17 years (daughter of the shop owner) and Hadizah AbdulAzeez Raji, 17 years.
“The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and condoled with the mothers of the deceased, as well as the entire Laduba community. He described the incident as heartbreaking and avoidable.
“The Director strongly warned the public against storing inflammable liquids such as petrol in residential or commercial premises, especially near open flames or heat sources. He emphasized that petrol is highly volatile and can ignite explosively even from minimal heat or sparks.
“He urged residents to keep inflammable substances far away from fire, avoid domestic storage of fuel, and immediately report unsafe practices to prevent future tragedies.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterates its commitment to public safety and calls on all residents to adhere strictly to fire safety regulations to avoid preventable loss of lives and property.
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