Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed following a fire outbreak that gutted a one-storey shopping complex and surrounding shops at No. 1, Amore Street, Ajegunle Boundary area of Lagos.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire spread rapidly due to the high volume of combustible materials stored within the complex.
According to him, LASEMA received distress calls via its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines at about 12:40 a.m., prompting the immediate activation of the State Emergency Response Plan from the agency’s Cappa Base, Oshodi.
“Upon the arrival of the LASEMA Response Team at about 3:22 a.m., it was observed that an intense fire had engulfed a shopping complex housing mainly clothing dealers.
Active flames were observed, indicating severe combustion within the complex and adjoining shops used for clothing storage and sales,” he said.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered by a power surge following the restoration of public electricity supply.
He added that the one-storey shopping complex and surrounding shops were completely razed by the inferno. However, no casualties or loss of life were recorded.
The LASEMA boss explained that upon arrival, the response team conducted a risk assessment and cordoned off the affected area.
Safety and precautionary measures were immediately implemented to prevent damage to adjoining buildings, while coordinated efforts by responders successfully contained and extinguished the fire.
He further stated that a physical examination of the structure showed partial compromise, necessitating an urgent structural integrity assessment.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu recommended a comprehensive structural evaluation of the building, a review of fire safety measures and storage protocols for commercial facilities in the area, as well as continuous monitoring of the scene to prevent possible re-ignition.
First responders at the scene included officials from LASEMA’s Cappa Base, the LASEMA Fire Unit, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Written by Yemisi Dada