A major fire outbreak on Wednesday evening razed a Mouka Foam distribution depot in the Asa Dam area of Ilorin, with the Kwara State Fire Service’s swift intervention preventing what could have been a wider disaster.
The incident occurred at about 5:56pm on January 14, 2026, at a storey building with a warehouse extension located beside Asa Dam Hospital. By the time firefighters arrived, the inferno had already spread to two adjoining buildings, triggering panic among residents and business owners in the busy area.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Public Relations Officer and Head of the Media Unit of the Kwara State Fire Service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, said the affected facility serves as a major Mouka Foam distribution hub in Ilorin.
“The fire had already extended to adjoining buildings before our arrival, but the professionalism and commitment of our officers prevented further escalation,” Adekunle stated.
The Director of the Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, was said to have personally led the firefighting operation, coordinating efforts that eventually brought the blaze under control and saved lives as well as valuable properties.
Speaking after the incident, Alabi warned warehouse operators and distributors to take fire safety more seriously, especially those dealing in foam mattresses and related products.
“Foam materials ignite easily and burn fast once exposed to fire. Operators must ensure proper spacing, good ventilation and strict adherence to fire safety standards, including the provision of functional firefighting equipment,” he cautioned.
Alabi disclosed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, while assuring residents of the Fire Service’s preparedness to respond promptly to emergencies across the state.
He also appealed to members of the public to report fire incidents early to enable quick response and minimise losses.
