A fire outbreak on Wednesday night gutted a vehicle at E-Phoenix Hotel, located at Tanke Junction in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident and the prompt intervention of firefighters to contain the blaze.

He said firefighters received a distress call at about 23:38 hours and were immediately deployed to the scene at the hotel.

The incident involved a Honda Accord vehicle with registration number DTH 753 AA, with the fire primarily affecting the engine compartment before it was brought under control.

Firefighters were said to have quickly mobilised to the scene and succeeded in extinguishing the fire by about 00:15hrs, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles and parts of the hotel premises.

Preliminary findings indicated that the inferno may have been triggered by a spark from the vehicle’s wiring system, which subsequently ignited flammable components within the engine area.

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service urged motorists to prioritise routine maintenance of their vehicles, especially electrical systems, to prevent similar incidents.

He advised vehicle owners to ensure regular inspection of electrical wiring systems, particularly in older vehicles, adding that faulty wiring should be disconnected immediately and makeshift electrical repairs should be avoided.

He also recommended keeping basic firefighting equipment, such as portable extinguishers, in vehicles for early response.

The fire service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kwara State, noting that timely emergency response remains critical in reducing losses from fire outbreaks.