The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has disclosed that the fire that consumed eight warehouses and other structures in Iddo area of Lagos State on Sunday was caused by carelessness.
The Acting Controller, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, made this known when briefing journalists on the fire incident at the location of the incident.
“The preliminary investigation reveals that the fire emanated from shanty structures used for residential purpose behind the warehouse as a result of carelessness. The fire engulfed one of the warehouses before spreading to others,” she revealed.
Adeseye also stated that no fewer than 23 warehouses were saved by her agency from being razed by the fire.
The fire destroyed eight warehouses and other structures.
Adeseye said the agency received a fire alert on Sunday at about 1805 hours from Shed area, Iddo/Otto, Ebute Meta in Lagos Mainland local government area that some warehouses were in flames and “action was immediately taken with the deployment of two fire engines and crew to combat the situation.”
The fire service boss further explained that on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the fire had engulfed a warehouse while spreading to eight others in a row and column of about 31 warehouses.
She disclosed that firefighting operations began in earnest to curtail the spread while 23 warehouses were saved in the ongoing operations that lasted all night.
Informing journalists that the warehousing arrangement with wrong stacking and piling of goods hampered operations while helping to spread the fire, Adeseye said items stored in the warehouses included candle wax, lighters, batteries, polish, etc.
Confirming that no life was lost in the incident, Adeseye said the agency, in collaboration with the Federal Fire Services, Julius Berger Fire Department, LASEMA and the Nigeria Police would complete the ongoing mop-up shortly.
