LASEMA Confirms No Casualties in Abule-Oja Fire Incident

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that no lives were lost after a fire engulfed a cluster of makeshift residential structures in Abule-Oja, Yaba, on Wednesday, following a coordinated emergency response that prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, noting that the incident occurred at 9/10 Abudu Street, Abule-Oja, along UNILAG Road.

According to the agency, emergency responders were immediately mobilised after receiving a distress call, with personnel from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, UNILAG Fire Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and LASEMA’s Alpha Cobra Base deployed to the scene.

LASEMA said the coordinated efforts of the responders prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings despite the rapid spread of the flames.

“The fire affected a cluster of residential makeshift structures. Due to the close proximity of the buildings and the combustible materials within, the flames spread rapidly on arrival of responders,” the statement said.

The agency added that emergency personnel successfully protected an adjoining two-storey building while ensuring there was no loss of life.

“Through the diligence and courage of our emergency personnel, the adjoining two-story building was successfully salvaged and, most importantly, no loss of life was recorded,” it stated.

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LASEMA said dampening-down operations were ongoing to extinguish remaining hotspots and prevent a fresh outbreak, while the area had been secured for public safety.

The agency added that a comprehensive damage assessment was underway and that relevant government agencies had been mobilised to provide relief materials and humanitarian support to affected residents.

It noted that the cause of the fire had yet to be established, adding that the Lagos State Fire Service had commenced an investigation in collaboration with other relevant agencies.

The state government commended all emergency responders for their prompt intervention and thanked residents for their cooperation during the operation.

It also urged residents to observe fire safety measures, including avoiding substandard electrical wiring, preventing socket overloading and equipping homes and businesses with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, pledging to strengthen emergency response capabilities and enforce safety and building standards across the state.