Lagos Fires Destroy Millions in Goods as LASEMA Responds to Multiple Emergencies

Two separate fire outbreaks in Ikorodu and Surulere areas of Lagos State have destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying no deaths or injuries were recorded in either incident.

The first fire occurred in the early hours of Monday at Adamo Bus Stop, Ikorodu. According to the agency, the blaze was suspected to have started from faulty electrical wiring in a hairdressing shop before spreading to adjoining shops.

Three shops were affected, with goods and other property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Oke-Osanyintolu said emergency responders from LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Imota, quickly mobilised to the scene and brought the fire under control.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the fire originated from a spark from electrical wiring which ignited the roof of a hairdressing shop and spread to adjoining shops,” he said.

Responders subsequently carried out dampening-down operations to prevent the fire from reigniting.

A separate fire was reported later Monday morning at 19 Olatunde Onimole Street, near Bakery Bus Stop, Surulere, where two shops dealing in furniture and provisions were completely destroyed.

The cause of the Surulere fire was yet to be established, while LASEMA confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries. Dampening-down operations were also conducted at the scene.

LASEMA Responds to Road Emergencies

Meanwhile, LASEMA teams responded to several road emergencies across Lagos between Sunday and Monday.

At Olupese Bus Stop, inward Cappa, a truck loaded with soft drinks broke down on Sunday afternoon after developing a mechanical fault, obstructing traffic.

The LASEMA Alpha Eagle Response Team from the Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit worked with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigeria Police to remove the vehicle using the agency’s heavy-duty Super Metro equipment.

The truck, with registration number T-12930LA, was eventually recovered to a lay-by, restoring traffic flow.

Also on Sunday, the LASEMA LRT Tiger Squad responded to a crash on the Third Mainland Bridge, inward Obalende, involving a yellow commercial bus that overturned following a reported tyre burst.

The bus was towed to the LASTMA yard at Olowu, while LASEMA paramedics and LASAMBUS personnel provided immediate medical attention to those affected.

In another incident in the early hours of Monday, a tanker developed a mechanical fault on Ilupeju Road, inward Cappa, and obstructed traffic.

The empty tanker was evacuated to a nearby lay-by with the assistance of the police and LASEMA’s Super Metro recovery equipment.

Oke-Osanyintolu commended emergency responders, including LASTMA, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, for their coordination during the various incidents.

He said the Lagos State Government remained committed to improving emergency response through investment in personnel training, modern equipment and the decentralisation of LASEMA Response Units.

The permanent secretary also urged residents to maintain their vehicles properly and comply with electrical safety standards to help prevent avoidable emergencies.