The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has identified the cause of Tuesday’s devastating Idumota Fire Outbreak in the Lagos Island area of the state to refuelling of a generator and storage of fuel in kegs at the penthouse of a three-building complex housing a printing shop with chemical contents.
This was posted on the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service X platform on Wednesday morning, 10th April, 2024.
According to officials, the fire erupted due to the refuelling of a generator and the unsafe storage of fuel in kegs at the penthouse of a three-building complex, which housed a chemical-laden printing shop.
Mrs Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the extent of the damage.
She stated that efforts are underway to assess the losses incurred by individual shops and goods, and emphasized the need for stringent preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
She wrote, ”A devastating fire tore through the Docemo area in Lagos Island yesterday, causing extensive damage to 14 buildings. Thanks to the swift response of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the blaze has been contained. Currently, efforts are underway to dampen down the affected area as damage assessment and preventive measures are being implemented.
Unfortunately, one life was lost in the incident. The victim was refuelling a working generator, which sparked the fire. Additionally, nine individuals suffered from carbon monoxide inhalation, while one sustained a fracture. All affected individuals were promptly treated and discharged on-site by the Emergency Management Service.”
Meanwhile, the government has ordered the suspension of commercial activities within the market and its environs.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Central Business Distress (CBD), Mrs. Bola Olumegbon Lawal, made the announcement when she led a delegation on a spot assessment of situation to the scene of the fire incident.
Other markets ordered to be shut include Dosumu, Nnamdi Azikwe, Moshalashi, Woro Pedro, Obanikoro Streets, Ago Tawa, Idumagbo Avenue, Idumagbo , Ido – Oluwo and Oju Olobun Streets.
On Monday, a three-storey building was gutted by fire in the Apongbon area of the state. The Monday’s incident happened less than four days that fire outbreak was averted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja and about two weeks after Globus Supermarket, located at Apple Junction in the FESTAC area of the state, was gutted by fire.