By Evelyn Usman
LAGOS — A building in Ilasamaja area of Lagos State, weekend, went up in flames, destroying property which monetary value could not be immediately ascertained.

Among families rendered homeless by the fire disaster, is Vanguard’s Labour correspondent, Mr Victor Ahiuma-Young.

The fire, as gathered, started at about 3 p.m. on Saturday from a neighbour’s flat on the 2nd floor of the two-storey building located at  10, Olagbaiye Street, Ilasa. Unfortunately, occupants of the flat were not around.

The cause of the inferno could not be ascertained but Ahiuma-Young who at that time was on his way out, reportedly perceived the burnt smell.

On enquiry, it was discovered that the smell was emanating from the opposite flat. Aided by two of his visitors, they reportedly sought for hammer with which to break the door of the affecting apartment.

But they were taken by surprise immediately the door was forced opened, as the raging fire spread to Ahiuma-Young’s flat, where his wife, sister in-law and another visitor scurried for safety.

Effort by some concerned sympathisers to salvage some of Vanguard Labour correspondent’s property proved abortive as thick smoke which emanated from the fire almost chocked them.

Fire service men who later arrived the scene could not contain the situation initially because they had only one hose. It took the arrival of another fire service vehicle to put out the fire which had already spread to the first floor.

Occupants of the ground and first floors  managed to salvage some of their valuables with the help of sympathizers who battled hard to put out the fire before the arrival of fire service men.

“Nothing was rescued out of my flat. Everything , including my certificates and those of my wife’s were consumed in the fire. We only managed to escape with the clothes we are putting on”, lamented Ahiuma-Young.