A duplex building was on Monday set on fire after a five-year-old boy was playing with matches sticks at Abiodun Adebiyi close, off Yidi Road, Irewole area Ilorin in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The building was later rescued by men of the fire service but not before fire damaged one of the rooms.

The incident was confirmed by the Spokesman for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, who said the match sticks the boy was playing with dropped on a combustible material that escalated the fire.

He said firefighters sprang into action, arriving swiftly at the scene to find one room in a five-bedroom duplex engulfed in flames.

“Through sheer expertise and technical precision, the team worked fervently to contain the fire, ensuring it did not spread to other rooms or nearby buildings. Thanks to their exceptional skill and coordination, only one room was affected,” he said.

Adekunle said the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, commended the firefighters for their swift and tactical response.

He said John also urged the public to prioritise fire safety and advised parents to keep matches away from children, emphasising that a single matchstick could destroy an entire building.