05 Dec Truck catches on fire in Kwara

An overloaded truck carrying mattresses caught fire on Tuesday December 3, resulting in significant damage to a neighbourhood in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria.

The fire broke out around 10:16 am when the truck collided with a high-voltage power line, creating a spark that set the mattresses ablaze.

The flames quickly spread to a nearby building that contained 47 rooms and 19 shops.

The Kwara State Fire Service responded quickly to the emergency after receiving calls for help.

Hassan Adekunle, the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, explained what happened and the extent of the damage. He noted that the fire spread rapidly due to the highly flammable mattresses and was worsened by an explosion from a nearby electrical transformer.

Even with the fire’s intensity, firefighters managed to save 12 shops and 31 rooms from destruction. Sadly, 16 rooms and seven shops were lost in the blaze.

The Fire Service credited their success to the teamwork with the Federal Fire Service, which played a vital role in putting out the flames and ensuring everyone’s safety.

Adekunle also acknowledged the police for providing security during the operation, as some individuals attempted to disrupt their efforts.