By Monsuru Olowoopejo

LAGOS State has recorded at least 417 fire incidents and other emergencies in the first two months of 2015, destroying property worth billions of Naira. Vanguard gathered that the Lagos State Fire Service has responded to 10 fire disasters within the first eight days of March.

This came barely a week after the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA said that 1,064 persons were displaced by major fire disasters recorded in Lagos.

The state had in 2014 recorded over 1,621 fire incidents and 1,537 fire incidents occurred in the state in 2013. A breakdown of the statistics showed that the state recorded 263 fire incidents and others in January. And in February,154 were recorded.

March disasters

In March, one of the fire disasters occurred at 12b Ereko Street, Lagos Island, where a 3 storey building stacked with textiles materials was razed. On March 2, another serious fire outbreak occurred at Baruwa village, Igboefon, Eti-Osa Local Council where the topmost floor of a two storey building was razed, destroying properties worth several millions of Naira.

Four days into the month, fire engulfed the state Magistrate Court, at Igbosere. The fire burned Court 13 on the fourth floor, destroying furniture and other electronic appliances in the court room. Also on the fourth day, a storey building at ADRAO International School located beside Nigerian Television Authority, NTA at Victoria Island was razed. On the fifth day, Ewutuntun Grammar School, in Mafoluku axis of the state was engulfed and furniture were destroyed.

On March 8, a local rubber processing company at Gberigbe road, Ikorodu and a shop on the 1st floor of a four storey building at 23 Obun-Eko Street, Lagos Island were razed.

Fire Service speaks

Speaking on the state of fire disasters in the state, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe said that the above statistics represent the number of fire incidents and other disasters they responded to. He blamed residents for the increase saying, “larger percentage of the disasters was due to unprofessional handling of domestic equipments especially gas cookers.”

He lamented: “Today, we have responded to five fire disasters. And we don’t know what will happen before midnight. And among these, we rescued a couple that sustained burns from the inferno that started from their kitchen. Many who had used cooking stove for several years, switched to gas cooker suddenly without understanding how best to use it and the precautionary measures that must be put in place before purchasing it. But because they discovered that it is cheap, they jumped at it,” he added.

Fadipe however warned the people against self-help in such emergencies saying they should rather notifyappropriate authorities to avoid preventable losses. He cautioned residents that fire spread faster during the high temperate and urging them to take precautions against fire outbreaks, particularly during the dry season.