An inferno has gutted shops and a complex in Amore Street, Ajegunle, Boundary area of Lagos, destroying goods worth several millions of Naira.
This disclosure was made by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency stating that the incident occurred early on Wednesday.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the permanent secretary of the agency stated in a preliminary report on the incident that the fire incident was reported at about 2:40 a.m. via LASEMA’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines, prompting activation of the state’s emergency response plans from its Cappa Base in Oshodi.
When the LASEMA Response Team arrived at the scene at 3:22 a.m., they noticed that the one-storey complex, home to several clothing dealers, was engulfed in active flames.
“Following distress alerts received on it’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 0240hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from it’s Cappa Base, Cappa-Oshodi, Lagos.
“Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene by 0322hours, it was observed that an outbreak of fire occurred in a shopping complex that accommodates clothes dealers was gutted by fire. Responders further observed active flames from the fire, indicating intense combustion within the complex and surrounding shops used for the storage and sales clothes. The high volume of combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of the intense fire,” the statement read.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the LASEMA Response Team revealed that the fire ignited as a result of power surge when public power supply of electricity was restored. Fortunately there was no loss of lives, nor casualties involved as a result of the incident.”
“Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area. Agency’s Response Team activated Safety and Precautionary Measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.
“Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT in collaboration with other responders to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings and eventually extinguish it. LRT coordinated the multi-agency response to ensure a quick and safe operation.”
“The entire one-storey shopping complex and surrounding shops were completely razed by the fire. All goods and properties worth millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the fire. Physical examination of the one-storey shopping complex reveals partial compromise, thereby requiring immediate structural assessment.”
“Firefighting operations successfully subdued and contained the fire within the affected area. The fire was prevented from escalating to neighbouring structures. Continuous damping-down operations are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition. Rescue and Recovery Operation has been concluded.
“Conduct Structural Assessment of the building to evaluate safety. Review fire safety measures and storage protocols for commercial buildings in the area. Ensure continued monitoring of the incident scene to prevent a re-ignition of the fire,” the statement read.