A nine-year-old boy reportedly set his parents’ three-bedroom flat on fire on Thursday at No. 52 Mandate Housing Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the incident occurred while the child was playing with matches, which ignited a mattress and quickly spread through the house.
Hakeem Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity for the Fire Service, confirmed the incident and recalled a similar fire last year in Ilorin, where a boy accidentally destroyed his family’s home.
Narrating the previous incident, Adekunle said, “When he heard his father’s car pulling into the driveway, panicked and afraid of being scolded, he lit a firecracker and tossed it under the bed, thinking it would stay hidden. The family later left the house unaware of the fire smoldering beneath the bed. By the time they returned, the house was completely razed.”
Adekunle used the opportunity to highlight the importance of fire safety, particularly during the festive season, when children are often left unsupervised.
He urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of firecrackers and fire-related materials. “Let us all work together to prevent such tragedies this festive season. Matches, lighters, and other flammable materials should be kept out of children’s reach, and parents must emphasize the dangers of playing with fire,” he said.
As the holidays approach, the Fire Service is emphasizing vigilance to avoid preventable disasters, especially in households with young children.
