A collision between a petrol tanker and a truck loaded with soybeans along the Oko-Olowo-Jebba Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State, resulted in a fire incident that claimed three lives on Monday afternoon.
News About Nigeria gathered that the accident occurred at approximately 2:46 p.m., leading to a head-on collision between the two vehicles.
Both the Kwara State Fire Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, which involved a petrol tanker carrying 45,000 litres of petrol, a truck loaded with soft drinks, another truck carrying soybeans, and a tricycle.
According to Hassan Adekunle, the spokesperson for the state Fire Service, the fire started from the head-on collision between the petrol tanker, whose driver lost control, and the truck carrying soybeans.
Unfortunately, three lives were lost, and eight injuries were recorded among the 20 people on board the vehicles.
Despite the situation, firefighters successfully contained the fire, preserving a nearby hospital and other buildings.
A reliable source from the state command of the FRSC mentioned that four vehicles were involved in the incident, with three fatalities and two others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
In another tragic incident on the same day, a fire engulfed the Megida Onikahun compound in Edun Isale, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The fire, which started from a refuse dump in the morning, left over 120 people homeless and destroyed 44 rooms and a mosque in the 75-room Magaji Onikanhun Compound.
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident.
The Kwara State Fire Service responded to the fire incident around 11:08 a.m., and despite challenges due to a late call, they successfully brought the situation under control within an hour.
Investigations revealed that an unknown person ignited the refuse, leading to the spread of the fire to nearby buildings.
The Director of the state Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, urged the public to remain vigilant during the dry season and promptly report fire emergencies to save lives and property.
