A fire outbreak has razed a shopping complex and adjoining shops along Amore Street, Ajegunle, Boundary area of Lagos, destroying goods valued at millions of naira.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the incident occurred on Wednesday morning.
A preliminary report signed by Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu on Thursday stated that the fire was reported at about 2:40 a.m. through LASEMA’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines, prompting the activation of the state’s emergency response from its Cappa Base in Oshodi.
The LASEMA Response Team arrived at the scene at about 3:22 a.m and found active flames engulfing the one-storey complex, which housed several clothing dealers.
“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 findings indicate that the fire was triggered by a power surge after the restoration of electricity.
“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.”
LASEMA said it promptly carried out a risk assessment, secured the area, and implemented safety measures to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring structures.
It said, “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 co-ordinated the multi-agency response to ensure a quick and safe operation.”
The fire led to the total destruction of the shopping complex and adjacent shops, along with all goods stored inside.
“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.”
LASEMA advised commercial property owners in the area to reassess their fire safety measures and storage protocols to prevent a recurrence.
“Firefighting operations successfully subdued and contained the fire within the affected area. The fire was prevented from escalating to neighboring 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.
Responders at the scene, according to LASEMA included the LASEMA Response Team from Cappa Base, the LASEMA Fire Unit, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The agency said rescue and recovery operation have been completed while the site will continue to be monitored to prevent any re-ignition of the fire.
