A pre-dawn fire on Tuesday gutted the bar and an adjoining store at the popular Ebunlomo Hotel and Resort in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident, which occurred around 5:07 a.m., was swiftly brought under control by operatives of the Kwara State Fire Service, preventing the flames from spreading to the hotel’s 23-room accommodation block.

Spokesperson of the service, Hassan Adekunle, said firefighters arrived promptly at the scene and “implemented a coordinated strategy that prevented a massive loss of property.” Preliminary investigations, he added, indicate that the fire was triggered by a power surge.

Director of the service, Prince Falade John, urged hotel operators and residents to prioritise electrical safety by installing surge protectors, ensuring functional circuit breakers and carrying out routine maintenance to avert similar incidents.

He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.