A tragic incident occurred in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday, as a 73-year-old man, identified as Pastor Awolola, lost his life during a bush-burning exercise on his land. The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed that the elderly man was suspected to have been burnt to death while trying to clear weeds on a fenced parcel of land along Cemetery Road, Irewolede area of the city.
The sad development has once again drawn attention to the dangers of bush burning, especially during the dry season when fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control.
The spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hakeem Adekunle, disclosed details of the incident in a statement issued on Monday. He said the agency received a distress call about a fire outbreak in the area and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
According to Adekunle, upon arrival, officers discovered that the fire had already consumed a large portion of the land. Further findings revealed that the deceased had personally set fire to weeds and dry undergrowth within his property.
“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the deceased reportedly ignited the undergrowth on his fenced parcel of land,” Adekunle said. “The fire spread rapidly within the confined space.”
He explained that the fire became uncontrollable within a short time, cutting off the only exit from the land. As the flames advanced, the elderly man reportedly tried to escape by climbing over the fence but was overtaken by the fire.
“Findings revealed that the undergrowth fire spread rapidly and engulfed the only exit from the premises. In an attempt to escape, the victim tried to scale the fence; however, the fire had already advanced to that point, resulting in his death,” the statement added.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire shortly after arriving, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings and properties in the area. Sadly, the man was already lifeless by the time the fire was extinguished.
“The lifeless body was recovered and handed over to the community chairman, Sunday Nuha, for further necessary action,” Adekunle said.
Residents of the Irewolede area were said to be shocked by the incident, describing the deceased as a quiet and elderly man who was well known in the community. Some neighbours said they noticed smoke rising from the land but did not immediately realise that someone was trapped inside the fire.
“This is very painful,” a resident who requested anonymity said. “We saw smoke, but bush burning is common around here. Nobody knew Baba was inside and could not escape.”
The incident has renewed concerns about bush burning, a practice that remains common in many parts of Kwara State and other parts of Nigeria. People often use fire to clear land for farming, building, or other purposes, especially during the dry season.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, strongly warned residents against engaging in bush burning. He described the practice as risky and capable of leading to loss of lives and property.
According to him, many bush-burning incidents result in avoidable tragedies that could have been prevented if safer methods were used.
“He highlighted that such practices are extremely dangerous and unpredictable, especially during dry and windy conditions, and often result in avoidable loss of lives and property,” Adekunle stated on behalf of the director.
Muhammed advised residents to adopt safer land-clearing alternatives, such as manual clearing or the use of modern tools, rather than open fire. He also urged members of the public to report any fire outbreak promptly to the fire service.
The Kwara State Fire Service has responded to several fire incidents in recent months, many of which were linked to bush burning, electrical faults, or careless handling of fire. Officials say early reporting often helps reduce damage and save lives.
In many communities, bush burning is still seen as a quick and cheap way to clear land. However, fire service officials say the cost of such actions can be far greater when fires get out of control.
Pastor Awolola’s death has added to the list of fatal bush-burning incidents recorded across the country in recent years. Similar cases have been reported in rural and urban areas, where individuals were trapped by fire while clearing land or burning refuse.
Community leaders in the area have called on residents to learn from the incident and avoid using fire for land clearing. They also urged families to discourage elderly people from engaging in risky physical activities without support.
“This death should be a lesson to all of us,” a community leader said. “Fire does not respect age or experience. We must be careful.”
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. The agency said it will continue public awareness campaigns to educate residents on fire safety and prevention.
Adekunle said the service remains ready to respond to emergencies but stressed that prevention remains the best approach.
“The Kwara State Fire Service reiterates its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state,” he said.
As the family and community mourn the loss of Pastor Awolola, residents are being reminded that simple safety measures can save lives. Authorities hope that increased awareness and responsible behaviour will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of bush burning and the need for caution, especially during the dry season when fires can spread quickly and without warning.