A nine-year-old boy reportedly set his parents’ three-bedroom flat apartment, located at No. 52 Mandate Housing Estate, Ilorin, Kwara state on fire on Thursday.
It was gathered that the fire was accidentally caused by a nine-year-old child playing with matches, which ignited a mattress and escalated the blaze.
The incident that was confirmed by the head, Media and Publicity of the state Fire Service, Hakeem Adekunle, occurred when the young boy was playing with the matches.
The Fire Service official also recalled a fire incident which happened last year in the Ilorin metropolis, when a young boy completely razed down his parents’ house.
“When he heard the sound of his father’s car pulling into the driveway, panicked and afraid of being scolded, he quickly lit a firecracker and tossed it under the bed, thinking it would remain hidden,” he said.
“Moments later, his father walked in, oblivious to what had just happened. Excited to celebrate, the father decided to take the family out for some shopping. They locked the house and left, completely unaware of the smouldering danger spreading beneath the bed. By the time they returned, the fire had consumed the entire house, leaving nothing but ashes and heartbreak behind.”
Adekunle who said that the two incidents highlighted importance of vigilance and safety, urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of firecrackers and ensure they are used responsibly, if at all.
“Let us all work together to prevent such tragedies this festive season. As the festive season approaches, we must emphasize the dangers of firecrackers, commonly known as bangers.
“We strongly urge the public to prioritize safety at all times, especially, as children spend their holiday at home with limited supervision while many parents are at work,” he added.
He also urged parents and guardians to keep matches, lighters, and other flammable materials out of children’s reach as well as educate children on the dangers of playing with fire.