Massive losses as fire hits Lagos commercial hub

A massive fire has destroyed a shopping complex and nearby shops on Amore Street in the Ajegunle-Boundary axis of Lagos, wiping out merchandise estimated to be worth millions of naira.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the inferno broke out in the early hours of Wednesday.

In a preliminary report released on Thursday and signed by the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the incident was reported at about 2:40 a.m. through LASEMA’s 767/112 toll-free emergency lines. This triggered the immediate activation of the state’s emergency response from the Cappa Base in Oshodi.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 3:22 a.m. and found the one-storey commercial building engulfed in flames. The complex housed multiple traders dealing mainly in clothing.

“Following distress alerts received on it’s 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 0240hours, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from it’s Cappa Base, Cappa-Oshodi, Lagos.

“Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene by 0322hours, it was observed that an outbreak of fire occurred in a shopping complex that accommodates clothes dealers was gutted by fire. Responders further observed active flames from the fire, indicating intense combustion within the complex and surrounding shops used for the storage and sales clothes. The high volume of combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of the intense fire,” the statement read.

Initial findings by the response team indicated that the blaze was triggered by a power surge following the restoration of public electricity supply.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the LASEMA Response Team revealed that the fire ignited as a result of power surge when public power supply of electricity was restored. Fortunately there was no loss of lives, nor casualties involved as a result of the incident.”

LASEMA said it swiftly carried out a risk assessment, restricted access to the affected area and deployed safety protocols to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

It said, “Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area. Agency’s Response Team activated Safety and Precautionary Measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.

“Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT in collaboration with other responders to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings and eventually extinguish it. LRT co-ordinated the multi-agency response to ensure a quick and safe operation.”

The fire completely consumed the shopping complex, adjoining structures and all items stored within them.

“The entire one-storey shopping complex and surrounding shops were completely razed by the fire. All goods and properties worth millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the fire. Physical examination of the one-storey shopping complex reveals partial compromise, thereby requiring immediate structural assessment.”

The agency advised owners of commercial properties in the area to reassess fire safety arrangements and storage practices to avert similar incidents.

“Firefighting operations successfully subdued and contained the fire within the affected area. The fire was prevented from escalating to neighbouring structures. Continuous damping-down operations are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition. Rescue and Recovery Operation has been concluded.

“Conduct Structural Assessment of the building to evaluate safety. Review fire safety measures and storage protocols for commercial buildings in the area. Ensure continued monitoring of the incident scene to prevent a re-ignition of the fire,” the statement read.

Agencies involved in the operation included the LASEMA Response Team from Cappa Base, the LASEMA Fire Unit, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force.

LASEMA confirmed that while rescue and recovery efforts have been concluded, the location will continue to be monitored to prevent a resurgence of the fire.