A Toyota Previa bus conveying about 100 jerry cans filled with premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, to some villages in Kwara State was in the early hours of Friday burnt to ashes in Ilorin, the state capital.
The bus, which was loaded with about 100 kegs of petrol, reportedly caught fire at Gunniyan Junction, Isale Banni, Alore, in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The fire incident was said to have emanated from a petrol leakage in one of the jerry cans which ignited fire from the ignition of the vehicle.
According to a statement by the Head of the Media and Publicity Department, Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, the bus was conveying the petroleum product to Banni Oko village in Asa when it was engulfed by fire.
Adekunle said, “On the morning of February 16, 2024, at 07:27 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire at Gunniyan Junction, Isale Banni, Alore area, Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State.
“Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to contain the escalating situation. Upon arrival, they discovered a Toyota Previa bus engulfed in flames, lacking any visible registration number.
“The courageous firefighters immediately sprang into action, successfully quelling the blaze and safeguarding the surrounding community from further harm.
“It was determined that a spillage of petrol occurred within the vehicle, exacerbated by high temperature, resulting in the ignition and subsequent inferno. Efforts are ongoing to identify the specific filling station implicated in the unlawful sale of petrol for unauthorised use.”
