A midnight fire guttled rows of shanties in Surulere, Lagos State, sparking panic among residents but causing no reported injuries or fatalities.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to him, the fire outbreak occurred in makeshift structures erected along a canal and was reported via emergency toll-free lines 767 and 112 at approximately 1:18 a.m.
“Following distress calls, LASEMA activated its Onipanu response team. By 1:31 a.m., responders arrived to find a row of shanty structures engulfed in flames,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire began in one of the rooms before quickly spreading to adjacent units in the densely packed row.
Emergency teams worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, supported by other first responders.
“It was brought under control through the combined efforts of emergency personnel on-site,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded during the incident.
“The fire has been extinguished, and dampening down, as well as search and rescue operations, have been concluded,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but residents have been urged to exercise caution with fire and other potential hazards in such vulnerable setups.
Shanty fires remain a recurring issue in Lagos due to the high density of structures, poor fire safety practices, and the use of flammable materials.
LASEMA has reiterated its commitment to swift responses to emergencies and emphasized the importance of public awareness in preventing future incidents.
The agency continues to call on residents to promptly report emergencies using the state’s toll-free lines to minimize damage and loss of life.
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