Three tipper lorries were yesterday burnt to ashes when unquenched coal fire smoldered from a nearby refuse collection vehicle to the parked tippers. The incident happened at the Alagbede Tipper Garage Ilorin, South Local Council in Kwara State.

There were 42 tipper lorries in the park when the fire broke out at about 1:35p.m.

According to spokesperson for state fire service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, a distress call was placed to the Kwara State Fire Service whose crew arrived at the scene to find a fleet of trucks, “some of which were already engulfed in flames.” He hinted that preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from a waste collection truck that had been parked with refuse still inside.

“The refuse contained lit charcoal, which smoldered and eventually ignited, spreading to two other trucks before being extinguished,” he added.

Meanwhile, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John urged the public to remain vigilant and adopt strict fire safety measures to prevent such incidents.