A 73-year-old man, identified as Pastor Awolola, has lost his life following a bush fire incident at the Irewolede area of Ilorin, Kwara State, after he reportedly set fire to an undergrowth on his farmland.
An eyewitness told The PUNCH that the deceased set fire to a small bush around a farmland inside an incomplete building with a perimeter fence and gated entrance.
“The fire engulfed the only exit from the premises which prevented the victim from escaping and burnt him to death,” the witness said.
Confirming the incident, the Head Media unit of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the service received a distressed call about a man burnt to death on his farm.
The statement issued on behalf of the Director Chief Fire Officer Alabi Muhammed said the victim was trapped while attempting to escape through the fence.
The statement reads, “Firefighters were alerted to the incident at about 11:58am and promptly moved to the scene, where they succeeded in extinguishing the fire and preventing it from spreading to nearby properties.
“The fire spread rapidly and engulfed the only exit. In his attempt to escape, the victim tried to scale the fence but was overtaken by the flames.
“Sadly, the victim was already dead before their arrival.”
The fire service said the body was recovered and handed over to the Community Chairman, Mr Sunday Nuha, for necessary action.
The Director expressed deep sadness over the loss and warned residents against bush burning, especially during the dry season.
He described the practice as highly dangerous and unpredictable, noting that many fire outbreaks result from negligence and poor safety awareness.
“Bush burning is extremely risky, particularly in dry and windy conditions. Members of the public are advised to adopt safer land-clearing methods and to promptly report fire outbreaks to avoid loss of lives and property,” Muhammed said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, urging residents to cooperate with fire safety regulations.
The Service has continued to caution residents against open burning, as cases of fire outbreaks have increased across parts of the state in recent weeks.
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