But for a swift intervention of the men of Kwara State Fire Service on Friday, what could have been a major fire tragedy could have consumed the Isale Banni-Alore area of Ilorin, the state capital.
The firefighters moved in swifly to put out a fire that gutted a Toyota Previa bus said to be carrying 100 25-litre kegs of petrol for illicit purpose.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the bus was conveying the kegs of petrol to Banni-Oko in Asa local government area of the state.
It was gathered that a spillage of petrol occurred within the vehicle and got exacerbated by high temperature, resulting in a fire outbreak.
The spokesman of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement.
He said; “On the morning of February 16th, 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 sprung into action, successfully quelling the blaze and safeguarding the surrounding community from further harm.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that the ill-fated Toyota Previa bus was en route to Banni Oko in Asa local government, clandestinely transporting 100 containers of 25-liter petrol for illicit purposes.
“It was determined that a spillage of petrol occurred within the vehicle, exacerbated by high temperatures, resulting in the ignition and subsequent inferno. Efforts are ongoing to identify the specific filling station implicated in the unlawful sale of petrol for unauthorized use.”
