Students of the Kwara State University, Malete, escaped death in an 18-seater bus in Ilorin on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at about 07:54hours, when the bus with registration number, XUF134ZD, went up in flames and was completely razed down.

The students were said to have been on their way to the main campus of the institution from Bovas filling station along Akerebiata axis on Ilorin-Sobi road.

According to the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, “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 fire crew responded swiftly and successfully extinguished the fire. Regrettably, the vehicle was completely consumed by the flames, with all parts severely damaged.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from a spark in the engine compartment, which rapidly escalated and engulfed the entire vehicle.

Director of the state fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bus owner and used the opportunity to advise all road users to carry out routine vehicle checks before embarking on any journey, as a precautionary measure against such incidents.