Fire Outbreaks: Lagos Saved N76.9bn, Lost 84 Lives In 2017–Commissioner

Lagos State Government, on Monday, announced that the state fire service saved property worth N76.9 billion from destruction between January and December 2017.

This is as property worth N12.8 billion as well as 84 lives were lost to inferno accross the state in the same period.

Giving a breakdown of fire incidents in the last one year in the state, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Oluseye Oladejo, said within the period under review, the Department of State Fire Service received a total of 1,282 emergency calls, with 980 fire calls, 202 rescue calls and 83 false calls.

He added that despite the sizeable number of incidents recorded, the state government was able to “respond promptly to the emergencies, thereby saving lots” of lives and property.

“Within the period under review, the state government rehabilitated and upgraded 225 old fire hydrants that were initially below ground level in Lagos Metropolis and Installed 50 new additional ones to link the Mini/Micro Water Works in the state. The hydrants have been providing easy access to copious water supply for firemen during fire fighting and rescue operations.

“The Department also benefitted from various equipment recently procured for the emergency responders. Some of these newly procured equipment are complete sets of master breathing apparatus, tripod stand rescue equipment, dragonmax flood lights, duraline hoses, power stream PPU blower and units of 200 liters Class “A” special foam, among others,” Oladejo said.

He added that in the period under review, a total of 1,081 incidents were reported, with 1,255 casualties and a mortality rate of 163.

He gave some of the reported incidents to include: Fire outbreak, road/motor accidents, trailer/truck incidents, domestic accidents, collapsed buildings, fallen container, leaking gas accident, ocean surge, mudslide, and other related mishaps.

Oladejo stressed that from January to April 8, this year, 449 incidents have been reported, with 421 casualties and 42 mortalities.

This data, he said, cut across attempted suicide, oil spillage, partial collapsed buildings, bunker in activities, fire outbreak, etc.

He added that there were plans to commence removal of all abandoned vehicles on the roads to complement emergency recovery efforts and prevent mishaps on streets and major highways in the state.

Oladejo further said the move was aimed at further addressing traffic decongestion and averting security challenges associated with abandoned vehicles.