Lagos saves N117B properties, 450 lives in stunning drop in fire cases

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State recorded a major win in fire safety in 2024, salvaging properties valued at N117.12 billion and rescuing 450 people from potentially deadly fire incidents.

The State also achieved a 20 per cent reduction in annual fire emergencies compared to the previous year.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu credited the achievement to sustained investment in firefighting infrastructure, the deployment of modern technology, and a vigorous public fire safety campaign that has heightened residents’ awareness of hazards.

The progress report was unveiled at the second Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC), organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, and held at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

The two-day summit carried the theme “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire.”

Presenting the 2024 Fire Report, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margret Adeseye, disclosed that the agency responded to 1,952 emergency calls last year, including 1,607 fire-related cases—a sharp drop from over 2,500 calls in 2023.

Most incidents, she noted, resulted in minimal casualties.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the drop as evidence that the State’s strategy is working: “Our advocacy, communication, and engagement efforts are paying off. Lagosians are now more conscious of hazards that could escalate into disasters. We are also seeing the benefits of strong collaboration between government, the private sector, and our communities.”

He said over the last six years, his administration had built 25 new fire stations and would deliver four more in the coming months, adding that in the past two years alone, the State has provided over 60 standard fire trucks and modern firefighting gear.

Sanwo-Olu revealed that Lagos has also adopted smart technologies, including drones capable of detecting fire sources in high-rise buildings, and is upgrading its Command and Control Centre to enhance emergency response.

The goal, he said, is to reduce the average response time from 15 minutes to between five and seven minutes.

“In a city like Lagos, this is the standard we must meet,” the Governor said.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, said the conference aimed to deepen fire safety awareness and foster stronger partnerships.

He stressed that fire safety must be seen as a shared responsibility, requiring active participation from residents, communities, and the private sector.

In 2024, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service carried out 7,870 facility inspections for fire risk assessment and issued 7,039 fire certificates to businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, restaurants, and other establishments.

Despite the successes, Adeseye noted that 91 casualties were recorded from fire incidents last year, while properties worth N19.5 billion could not be saved.