BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

LAGOS state has recorded eight fire disasters since January 1.

However, Vanguard investigations revealed that the state, through its fire service, has responded to 48 fire alarms within first 12 days of the new year.

The eight disasters caused at least 16 fatalities, with more than 70 residents displaced and property worth  millions of naira destroyed.

For the whole of the previous year, 2013, authoritative sources put the total number of fire incidents responded to in the state at 1,537 out of the 2,015 emergency cases reported through the state emergency call centre.

Ijeshatedo fire

The year started with the fire disaster that razed three houses in Obi-Osa street, Ijesatedo axis of the state, which rendered 70 residents homeless. The fire was said to have started from one of the inverters in one of the three buildings.

Agege fire – claimed 2 children

Two days into the year, another  fire outbreak occurred at No. 12, Adebari Street, Agege  killing two children and destroying properties worth several millions of naira.

Sawmill, Ipaja fire

Five days later, another major fire disaster at about 3;00 am struck again at the Sawmill Market, Pako Bus stop on Ipaja road, destroying millions of property and rendering hundreds of traders jobless.

15 burnt in Berger Suya tanker fire

On January 9, another major tragedy struck where no fewer than 15 people were burnt to death when a tanker laden with 33,000 litres of petroluem motor  spirit (PMS) or petrol fell and went up in flames that Tuesday night.

The inferno lasted till the following  morning, at the Berger Suya junction, Apapa, Lagos. Also, several buildings, eight vehicles and about 200 lock-up shops including a commercial bank were razed

Averted tanker fire at Iju-Ishaga

A day after, another tanker explosion was averted at Iju-Ishaga axis of the state.

Printing, Minting staff hospital fire

Two days later, another fire disaster razed the Nigerian Printing and Minting staff hospital, Yaba destroying several medical equipment. But the fire was put out by the state fire service after several water tankers were deployed to the scene.

Another tanker fire averted

Last Saturday just like the Iju-Ishaga scenerio, at about 05:50 am, another tanker explosion was averted. The fuel tanker loaded with 33, 000 liters of PMS at Ajasa Bus Stop, in the Ipaja axis, fell into a drainage.

Infant burnt

A day later, at 35, Oke-Erin Street, Ekore Bus Stop, Oworonshoki axis of Lagos state, an infant identified simply as Ibunkun was burnt to death in an early hour inferno that razed several shanties.

Fire Service confirms

Speaking on the state of fire disasters in the state, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe said; “I cannot state off-hand the number of fire disasters that has occurred in Lagos state in the last 12 days but I can authoritatively tell you that we respond to at least four fire disasters daily since the beginning of the year.

He however warned the people against self-help in such emergencies saying that they should rather notify appropriate authorities to avoid preventable losses.

Besides, Fadipe warned residents that fire spread faster during the Harmattan, urging them to take precautions against fire outbreaks, particularly during the dry season.

He said that his men had responded to five different fire outbreaks within the last 24 hours, which included the one at a male hostel at Oriwu College, Ikorodu, on Saturday.