Lagos saved N118.32bn property from fire in 2025, lost N19.72bn

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Government on Monday disclosed that emergency response operations across the state saved properties valued at N118.32 billion from fire incidents in 2025, while properties worth N19.72 billion were lost to various fire outbreaks.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, disclosee this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, where he presented the performance scorecard of agencies under the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.

The commissioner said the figures reflected the growing capacity of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency response agencies to contain fire disasters and minimise economic losses across the state.

According to him, the estimated property saved during the period under review exceeded the total losses by more than six times, resulting in a net asset protection value of approximately N98.60 billion.

Oyerinde explained that March 2025 recorded the highest value of properties saved at N12.60 billion, while August recorded the lowest at N6.78 billion, which he attributed to reduced emergency incidents during the peak rainy season.

He added that March also witnessed the highest monthly fire-related losses at N2.10 billion, whereas August recorded the lowest losses at N1.13 billion.

The commissioner disclosed that Lagos recorded 1,972 emergency calls related to fire and rescue operations between January and December 2025, excluding false calls.

He said fire calls accounted for 1,685 incidents, representing the overwhelming majority of emergencies handled by firefighters during the year.

Oyerinde further revealed that the state recorded 139 rescue calls, 129 salvage operations, 13 collapsed building incidents, three partial building collapse incidents and three explosion cases within the period.

According to him, March and April witnessed the highest emergency activities with 210 and 197 incidents respectively, largely due to dry season conditions and increased ignition risks.

He noted that emergency incidents dropped significantly in August with 113 calls, before rising again in December with 189 calls owing to festive season activities, increased traffic movement and heightened commercial operations.

On the human impact of fire and related emergencies, Oyerinde said 473 victims were rescued alive during rescue operations conducted across the state in 2025, while 133 victims were recovered dead.

The commissioner stressed that the government had intensified fire prevention measures to reduce incidents and improve compliance with safety regulations.

He disclosed that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service inspected 8,791 facilities across the state in 2025 and issued 7,997 fire safety certificates to compliant organisations and establishments.

According to him, 90 fire safety reports were also issued to members of the public for insurance claims and related purposes.

Oyerinde said the facilities inspected included 2,672 companies, 2,241 hotels and restaurants, 1,025 schools and vocational centres, 724 filling stations, 596 hospitals, 590 shopping malls and 141 banks.

Others, he said, included event centres, churches, supermarkets, bakeries, high-rise buildings, lounges, bars, plank markets, tank farms and embassies.

The commissioner attributed the improved emergency response capacity to sustained investments by the Sanwo-Olu administration in firefighting infrastructure, personnel welfare and modern emergency management systems.

He said the state government had procured 62 firefighting and utility vehicles and completed strategic fire service projects, including the Ebute-Elefun Fire Station in Lagos Island and the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station in Amuwo-Odofin.

Oyerinde added that ongoing fire station projects in Oworonshoki, Yaba and Ikotun would further improve response time and strengthen emergency coverage in densely populated areas of the state.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a safer Lagos through stronger emergency preparedness, public sensitisation and strict enforcement of safety standards across public and private facilities.