Tragedy struck Laduba community in Ilorin on Saturday when a fire outbreak caused by improperly stored petrol claimed the lives of three children.

The victims were identified as Abdulraman Jamiu Jeje, 8; Islamiya Abdulwahab, 17; and Hadizah AbdulAzeez Raji, 17. The incident occurred in a storey building located at No. 1 Popo Street, beside Ojere Junction.

The Kwara State Fire Service said the inferno was triggered when embers from a charcoal stove spread to a shop where about 50 litres of petrol had been stored.

In a statement, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, explained that preliminary investigations revealed that a woman had bought the petrol and kept it in the shop where the children were sleeping.

“Adjacent to the shop, another woman was cooking with charcoal. Sparks from the fire ignited the petrol, leading to an explosion and a raging fire,” Adekunle said.

He added that a passerby who attempted to rescue the victims sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital before firefighters arrived at the scene.

The affected building comprised five rooms and six shops, with three of the shops on the ground floor destroyed by the fire.

Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, described the incident as heartbreaking and avoidable, warning residents against storing highly inflammable products in homes or business premises.

He urged the public to observe basic fire safety measures and avoid keeping petrol or other volatile substances close to open flames or heat sources.

The remains of the victims were handed over to the community chairman, Mr. Saadu Abdulrahim, while investigations into the incident continue.