Collapsed Building: 2 children escape death by a whisker in Kwara
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Two children have escaped death by a whisker on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, following the collapse of a two-storey residential building at Ajegunle Street, off Sabo-Line in Isale area of the capital city.
It would be recalled that the State Fire Service had issued a stern warning to residents about the increasing dangers posed by ageing and structurally weak buildings across the State.
The collapsed building, which contained six flats, gave way around 9:10 a.m., trapping eight-year-old Ahmad and 10-year-old Hussainat in the rubbles, while quick-thinking residents rescued the children before emergency responders arrived, and they were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Firefighters, led by the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, conducted salvage operations, recovering clothing, food items, electronics, and important documents from the accessible parts of the building.
Muhammed, who supervised the operation personally, expressed concern over the condition of many older structures in the State, urging property owners to prioritise safety.
He added: “Regular structural integrity checks and prompt attention to visible defects like cracks can prevent tragedies like this.”
it was gathered that the caretaker of the collapsed building had previously been warned about the structure’s deteriorating condition.
Following a site assessment, the Fire Service recommended that the Disaster Management unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should seal off the collapsed building, while the occupants of a neighbouring unsafe building were also instructed to vacate it within seven days. The NSCDC promptly enforced these directives to prevent further casualties.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to avert avoidable disasters.
