Fire guts Lagos residential building, two firefighters collapse

A fire outbreak gutted the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos, leaving two firefighters exhausted after they collapsed while battling the blaze.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Lagos State Government, saying the fire broke out at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi, and was brought under control through a joint operation with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

According to the agency, the affected property is one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings.

LASEMA said its Tiger Squad arrived to find the top floor engulfed in flames and immediately launched coordinated firefighting operations to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining building and nearby properties.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical surge from a prepaid meter located on the front balcony of the building before spreading to the top floor.

During the operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while battling the blaze.

“During the firefighting operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while combating the fire,” the statement said.

The agency said the officers were immediately evacuated to the Trauma Centre in a LASEMA ambulance and response vehicle. Both are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

LASEMA added that no resident was killed or injured in the incident.

“Fortunately, no loss of life or civilian injuries were recorded in the incident,” the statement added.

The agency said dampening-down and recovery operations were ongoing to prevent a fresh outbreak and assess the extent of the damage.

It commended the professionalism and bravery of emergency responders, particularly the Tiger Squad and personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, whose swift intervention prevented the fire from causing greater destruction.

LASEMA also urged residents to regularly inspect and maintain electrical installations, especially prepaid meters and wiring, to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.

Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as operations at the scene continue. He also encouraged Lagosians to make use of the state’s toll-free emergency lines for a prompt response during emergencies.