Kwara Govt Warns Against Open Burning, Moves to Make Fire Extinguishers Mandatory

The Kwara State Government has cautioned residents to remain vigilant against fire outbreaks, warning that open burning and careless handling of fire pose serious threats to lives, property, and the environment.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Jide Aina, following a series of recent fire incidents recorded across different parts of the state.

Aina described the incidents as worrisome and largely preventable, noting that many of the fires occurred as a result of negligence and non-compliance with basic environmental safety regulations. He stressed that indiscriminate open burning of refuse and waste materials significantly contributes to fire outbreaks, environmental degradation, air pollution, and health hazards.

“Most fire disasters are avoidable if residents and business operators adhere strictly to safety guidelines and take necessary precautionary measures,” Aina said, adding that disregard for safety rules often leads to avoidable destruction and loss of lives.

He urged residents to adopt safer and more environmentally friendly waste disposal methods, emphasising that open burning remains one of the major causes of fire outbreaks in communities across the state.

In a move to curb future incidents, Aina disclosed that KWEPA is concluding plans to make fire extinguishers mandatory in all regulated premises and residential buildings in Kwara State. According to him, enforcement of the directive will begin soon, and defaulters will be sanctioned in line with existing environmental and safety laws.

“Regulated premises, business operators, and homeowners are advised to procure and properly maintain functional fire extinguishers, as early response equipment can prevent minor fires from escalating into major disasters,” he stated.

He also called on residents to cooperate with the agency by promptly reporting fire hazards and avoiding practices that endanger lives and property.

The warning comes after several fire incidents were recorded in the state in recent days. One of the incidents reportedly claimed the life of a 73-year-old man, Pastor Awolola, at Irewolede in Ilorin, after he allegedly set fire to undergrowth on his farmland. In another incident, property worth millions of naira was destroyed by fire at Owode Market in Offa, with a separate outbreak reported at the Olohunkushe area of the town.