Kwara Varsity Students Escape Death as Commercial Bus Bursts into Flames

Kwara Varsity Students Escape Death as Commercial Bus Bursts into Flames
Fire originated from engine spark, says fire service
Witnesses said the fire broke out without warning

By Grateful Ogunjebe

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Students of Kwara State University, Malete, narrowly escaped death on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, when a commercial bus they were travelling in suddenly caught fire along Sobi Barracks Road, Ilorin.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the 18-seater bus, said to be heading to the university’s main campus from the Bovas filling station, went up in flames midway into the journey.

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Witnesses said the fire broke out without warning, causing chaos among the passengers.

Fortunately, all occupants were able to flee the vehicle before the flames spread. The bus was, however, completely consumed by the fire before help could arrive.

In a statement confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was triggered by a spark from the engine compartment.

Kwara Varsity Students Escape Death as Commercial Bus Bursts into Flames

“The Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a vehicle fire involving an 18-seater bus with registration number XUF 134 ZD along Shao Road, near Sobi Barracks,” the statement read.

“Our crew was able to extinguish the fire successfully, but the vehicle was already completely burnt with all parts severely damaged,” it added.

Director of the fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed sympathy to the vehicle’s owner. He also used the opportunity to advise all drivers and transport operators to conduct routine checks on their vehicles before setting out.

“This incident is a strong reminder of the importance of regular maintenance. Road users must be proactive in identifying faults that could pose life-threatening risks,” he said.

No injuries were reported in the incident, but the loss of property was total.