Fire razes truck, goods worth millions in Kwara

By : Mansur Aramide, Ilorin

Date: 6 May 2025 9:05pm WAT

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An articulated vehicle carrying loads of detergent yesterday caught fire along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway, Kwara State.

Goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed with the truck conveying them.

Eyewitnesses hinted that the fire happened when one of the tyres of the articulated vehicle burst while in motion.

According to them, the incident occurred at about 01:25 p.m. at Lasoju community in the state, where the resultant fire spread to detergent products stacked in paper cartons.

The state fire service, which later confirmed the blaze, gave the burnt vehicle’s registration number as ALK 625 XA.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the agency, Hassan Adekunle, said: “The continuous friction between the damaged tyre and the hot tarred road generated excessive heat, igniting the tyre. The fire quickly spread to the detergent products, which were packed in paper cartons.

“On Monday, May 5, 2025, at about 13:25 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to a distress call regarding a truck fire at Lasoju, along the Ogbomoso Expressway, Kwara State. The affected vehicle was an articulated truck transporting detergent with registration plate number ALK 625 XA.

“Upon arrival, the dedicated firefighters swiftly commenced operations to contain the blaze and prevent further damage. Their efforts were commendable, as they worked tirelessly not only to extinguish the fire but also to salvage the goods being conveyed. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was triggered by a tyre burst while the vehicle was in motion. The continuous friction between the damaged tyre and the hot tarred road generated excessive heat, igniting the tyre. The fire quickly spread to the detergent products, which were packed in paper cartons.

“The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the general public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious at all times, especially when transporting flammable or heat-sensitive materials.”