Firefighters from the Kwara State Fire Service have successfully contained a serious fire outbreak at a plastic recycling factory in Ilorin, preventing what could have turned into a major disaster.

The incident occurred around 5:10 pm on Sunday at Madfa Nigeria Enterprises, a plastic recycling facility located in the Olorunsogo, Biada area of Ilorin South Local Government Area. The fire spread quickly due to the highly combustible nature of plastic materials stored within the building.

According to a statement issued Sunday night by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, firefighters responded swiftly after receiving a distress call. Two fire trucks were immediately deployed to the scene to combat the blaze.

He explained that although the inferno was intense, the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the firefighters helped to contain the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby buildings, thereby reducing potential damage to lives and property.

Preliminary investigations revealed that welding activities within the factory caused the fire. Sparks from a welding electrode reportedly fell on stacked plastic materials, igniting the fire and causing it to spread rapidly.

Reacting to the incident, Prince Falade John, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, warned factory operators and artisans to avoid negligence during welding and other high-risk industrial operations. He stressed the importance of observing basic fire safety measures such as removing combustible materials from work areas, using fire-resistant shields, and ensuring the availability of functional fire extinguishers.

Falade noted that strict compliance with safety standards would significantly reduce industrial fire outbreaks in the state, reaffirming the Fire Service’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and business investments across Kwara State.