….no casualties recorded

By Gabriel Ewepu

The Lagos State Government has ordered an investigation into a fire outbreak at a warehouse in Mile 2, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

Part of the investigation is to ascertain the nature of chemicals allegedly stored at the warehouse before the incident.

Meanwhile, the warehouse, located within an industrial layout, reportedly housed large quantities of the alleged chemical materials.

A government source said the probe was prompted by concerns over the contents of the warehouse and compliance with safety standards.

Adding that authorities are also working to identify the owner of the warehouse and assess the level of emergency and safety measures in place before the fire.

According to the source, “The state government, particularly the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is taking a keen interest in the incident.

“Efforts are also ongoing to identify the owner of the warehouse and commence an investigation due to the chemical content and to ascertain the level of emergency measures put in place before the fire incident.”

Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the agency received a distress call at about 8:29 pm on Sunday, with firefighters arriving at the scene by 8:40 pm.

She said crews from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota and Alausa fire stations were deployed to contain the blaze.

“Firefighters from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota, and Alausa fire stations were immediately mobilised to combat the blaze.

“The affected warehouse was stocked with chemical materials stored in hundreds of 200-litre drums, posing a significant risk.”

According to her, the fire was brought under control through “swift and coordinated intervention”, preventing further impact on other warehouses in the area.

She also made it known that there was no casualty recorded, however, the cause of the fire is yet to be known.

“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges residents and business owners to adhere strictly to fire safety regulations at all times”, she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, disclosed that preliminary findings linked the fire outbreak to alleged chemicals stored in the facility.

“During the investigation into the probable cause of the fire, the response team established the fact that the fire started from a building behind the SAPID container terminal at Mile 2.

“Further investigation by the team established that several drums of chemicals and oils were stored inside the building, and this definitely is the cause of the fire”, Oke-Osanyitolu added.

He also affirmed that there was no loss of life due to the swift response of emergency agencies to contain the fire.

Meanwhile, some eyewitnesses in the area said the fire broke out from a section of the warehouse facing the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

An eyewitness simply called Dotun said, “The fire started on this side, which is the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, just beside the Lacasera company.

“At first, no one could gain access to assist because it was a weekend, and by the time the gate was opened, the fire was already too much.”

Another resident who wants to remain anonymous said explosions were heard intermittently as the fire raged.

“We could hear the sound of explosions at intervals while the building was burning, which scared people from moving close to the scene”, the resident said.

A section of the building believed to house the administrative offices of the warehouse was partially affected by the fire.