Lagos Records Zero Casualty From Interventions In Three Major Fire Incidents Within 24 Hours
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has announced the successful containment of three major fire incidents across Lagos within a 24-hour period, with no casualties recorded and critical infrastructure protected from further damage.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency said the coordinated emergency response operations at Ikotun, Ojodu Berger, and OPIC along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway demonstrated the effectiveness of the state’s emergency management architecture under the administration of Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu.
According to LASEMA, the incidents were handled through joint operations involving the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and other emergency responders.
The first incident occurred on May 11 at a foam manufacturing factory located on Oyedele Street in Ikotun-Egbe.
Emergency responders successfully extinguished the inferno, preventing it from spreading extensively to adjoining structures.
Although the factory was largely destroyed, officials confirmed that no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded among workers, residents, or emergency personnel.
A church located within the same premises was also affected but was salvaged from total destruction. Equipment, raw materials, and finished products worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed in the fire.
The second incident involved a fire outbreak at The Apostolic Church building on Oremeta Street, Ojodu Berger, on May 12. The fire reportedly started from the rear section of the top floor of the two-storey building and was suspected to have been triggered by an electrical surge.
Emergency responders evacuated all occupants safely before containing the blaze. Authorities disclosed that the top floor housed a fashion store, bakery, and residential apartments, while the lower floors were used for church activities.
Several industrial sewing machines were destroyed, but a significant portion of the building, including the church sections, was preserved.
Later on May 12, emergency agencies responded to another fire outbreak at the warehouse of Innland Construction Company located at OPIC along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The warehouse reportedly contained highly combustible materials, including paints, plywood, water closets, and poles.
LASEMA said all workers at the facility were safely evacuated, while responders also secured the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to prevent secondary accidents and traffic disruptions.
The operation involved collaboration between Lagos and Ogun State emergency services, with firefighters deploying tactical measures and manual firefighting tools to access affected sections of the warehouse.
Speaking on the incidents, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, attributed the successful operations and zero casualty record to sustained investments in emergency preparedness and response systems by the Lagos State Government.
He noted that the incidents underscored the importance of effective incident command systems, industrial fire response units, and inter-state emergency collaboration.
The agency also announced plans by the Lagos State Safety Commission to commence statewide safety audits of foam manufacturing facilities, free electrical safety inspections and fire drills for religious organisations, as well as joint Lagos-Ogun inspections of industrial storage facilities along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
Residents were advised to promptly report emergencies through the 767 and 112 emergency lines, while motorists along the OPIC axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were urged to drive cautiously and obey traffic directives from emergency officials.
LASEMA added that investigations into the causes of the three fire incidents had commenced, while structural assessments would be conducted where necessary by relevant state agencies.
The Lagos State Government also sympathised with affected businesses, The Apostolic Church, and Innland Construction Company over the losses incurred, assuring them of technical support towards recovery efforts in line with existing regulations.
