KWARA FIREFIGHTERS AVERT DISASTER AS LEAKING GAS CYLINDER TRIGGERS PANIC IN ILORIN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Residents of Al-Mustafa Street in the Olorunsogo area of Ilorin, Kwara State, were thrown into panic in the early hours of Sunday after a 12.5kg gas cylinder reportedly began leaking inside a residential building.
A potential tragedy was averted through the swift intervention of operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service, who safely removed the cylinder and prevented what could have been a deadly explosion.
The incident occurred at about 3:32 a.m. in a two-flat residential building after occupants discovered the gas leaking profusely and immediately raised the alarm. Neighbours were quickly evacuated before firefighters arrived at the scene.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, PFO Hassan Adekunle, said the timely response of the firefighters prevented a major disaster.
“Our officers responded swiftly after receiving the distress call. They acted with professionalism and technical expertise to remove the leaking gas cylinder from the kitchen to a safe open area,” Adekunle stated.
He commended the quick thinking of the residents, noting that their early call to the service contributed to the successful operation.
Also speaking, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, described the intervention as “timely and life-saving,” warning residents against keeping gas cylinders inside their kitchens.
“It is extremely risky to keep a gas cylinder in the kitchen. A single spark can lead to an explosion. We strongly advise that all gas cylinders be kept outside the kitchen, with only the hose extended inside for use. This will make it easier to detect leaks and control the situation,” Olumuyiwa said.
He added that the agency would intensify public sensitisation campaigns to reduce gas-related incidents through community engagement and media programmes.
A resident of the area, Mrs. Aminat Abdulkareem, who witnessed the incident, praised the firefighters for their swift and courageous response.
“We were really scared when the smell of gas filled the air. Everyone ran out of their homes. Thank God the fire service came on time. If they had delayed, the story could have been different,” she said.
The Kwara State Fire Service has recently responded to several gas-related emergencies in Ilorin and other parts of the state, many of which were linked to poor handling, leakages, and unsafe cylinder storage practices.
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