CITIZENS COMPASS— Ten people were rescued while many others sustained different types of injuries in the Lagos inferno which occurred on Wednesday.
Citizens Compass reported that some clothing items worth Millions of Naira were razed when fire affected a building housing Great Nigeria Insurance House, at Martins Street, Lagos Island.
Despite the efforts of the State fire fighters, it was learnt that the fire went under control and spread to five adjourning buildings where many occupants were trapped.
However, ten persons were rescued from the inferno.
This was according to the updates by Margaret Adeseye Controller General, Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service.
However, she said the fire was under control.
According to Adeseye: The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service can authoritatively report that the fire at The Great Nigeria Insurance House is under control. The distress call was received at 16:41 hours to 45 Martins Street, Lagos Island. Firefighting crews from Ebute Elefun and Dolphin Fire Stations were immediately deployed, with additional support from Sari Iganmu, Bolade, Isolo, Fire Stations and the Alausa Headquarters as first responders arrived at the scene at 16:53 hours, Wednesday.
The incident involved a 25-storey building, with the fire originating on the fifth floor. The building is largely used as warehouse storage and sales outlets for clothing materials, alongside corporate offices and a few retail shops.
As of this update, the fire has been brought under control, with the intensity significantly curtailed. Firefighters are currently engaged in damping down operations, targeting remaining pockets of fire to fully conclude suppression efforts.
10 persons, predominantly males have been rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and in stable conditions as operations continue.
So far, five adjoining buildings have been affected two partially and three severely including the old Lagos Central Mosque.
Operational Challenges Identified:
The affected buildings are predominantly warehouses with poor storage practices, involving highly combustible materials, which facilitated rapid fire spread and complicated suppression efforts Crowd control and accessibility have posed significant challenges for emergency responders
The conjoined nature of the building structures further aided fire propagation and hindered effective firefighting operations.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to provide updates as necessary. The public is advised to remain calm, cooperate with emergency personnel, and adhere to safety advisories.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has ordered the demolition of the 25-storey building.
