Residents of Al-Mustafa Street in the Olorunsogo neighborhood of Ilorin, Kwara State, panicked in the early hours of Sunday after a 12.5kg gas cylinder reportedly began leaking inside a home.
However, the quick intervention of the Kwara State Fire Service ensured the leaking cylinder was safely removed, averting a potentially fatal explosion.
Advertisement
According to PUNCH, The incident, which took place around 3:32 a.m., occurred in a two-flat residential building. Occupants noticed the gas leaking heavily from their cylinder and quickly raised the alarm.
READ MORE : FRSC Alerts Motorists Over Gully Erosion On Onitsha-Owerri Road In Anambra
Neighbours reportedly evacuated the building immediately, ensuring no one remained inside when firefighters arrived on the scene.
Confirming the event, PFO Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, said in a statement on Sunday that the firemen’s swift response helped avert a major disaster.
“Our team acted immediately after receiving the distress call. They used their training and expertise to carefully move the leaking cylinder from the kitchen to a safe open space,” Adekunle stated.
He also highlighted that the residents’ quick thinking in alerting the fire service played a significant role in the successful resolution of the incident.
“The cooperation of both the occupants and their neighbours enabled us to act promptly. We always encourage residents to contact the fire service at the first sign of danger,” he added.
Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, described the operation as “a timely intervention that protected lives and property from a potentially catastrophic explosion.”
He warned residents against the risky practice of keeping gas cylinders inside kitchens and urged adherence to fire safety measures.
“Storing gas cylinders inside the kitchen is extremely dangerous. Even a small spark could trigger an explosion. We advise that cylinders be kept outside the kitchen, with only the hose extended inside for use. This makes leaks easier to detect and control,” Olumuyiwa explained.
He further stated that the fire service would continue public sensitisation campaigns to prevent similar accidents.
“We are committed to educating the public through community programs and media outreach. Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and residents should adopt preventive measures instead of waiting for emergencies to occur,” he added.
Mrs. Aminat Abdulkareem, a local resident who witnessed the rescue, commended the firefighters for their courage and quick response.
“We were terrified when we smelled gas in the air. Everyone rushed outside immediately. Thankfully, the fire service arrived in time—any delay could have had serious consequences,” she said.
The Kwara State Fire Service has recently responded to multiple gas-related emergencies across Ilorin and other parts of the state, often due to improper handling, leakages, and unsafe storage of cylinders.
