Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed yesterday when an articulated truck carrying detergent caught fire along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway in Kwara State.

Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze began after one of the truck's tyres burst while in motion, causing friction between the damaged tyre and the tarmacked road. This generated intense heat, igniting the tyre, which then spread to detergent products stored in paper cartons. The incident occurred around 1:25 a.m. in Lasoju community.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the fire and identified the vehicle as ALK 625 XA. Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity for the agency, explained the sequence of events: "The tyre burst led to heat buildup from road friction, which caused the fire."

Adekunle stated: "On Tuesday, May 5, 2025, at about 1:25 a.m., the Kwara State Fire Service promptly responded to a distress call regarding a truck fire at Lasoju, along the Ogbomoso Expressway, Kwara State. Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly began efforts to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.

"Their actions were commendable, as they not only extinguished the fire but also worked to salvage the goods being transported. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and there were no reported injuries."

Falade John Olumuyiwa, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, urged the public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious, particularly when transporting flammable or heat-sensitive materials.