Two firefighters hospitalised as fire guts Lagos three-storey building

A fire that engulfed the top floor of a three-storey residential building in Lagos State has led to the hospitalization of two firefighters. The blaze, which broke out around 6:31 am on Sunday in the Ketu-Ikosi area, affected one of a pair of twin buildings located at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street.

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The incident involved one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings. Upon the arrival of the Tiger Squad, it was observed that the fire had engulfed the topmost floor of the affected building.

According to Olawale Afolabi, spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by an electrical surge originating from a prepaid meter on the building's balcony. The surge caused the fire to spread rapidly to the topmost floor.

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Swift and coordinated firefighting operations were immediately commenced to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to the adjoining twin building and other nearby properties.

Firefighting operations, a collaborative effort between LASEMA's Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, were swift and coordinated. Their actions successfully contained the inferno, preventing it from spreading to the adjoining twin building and other nearby properties. During the intense efforts to control the blaze, two personnel from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed. They were promptly evacuated by LASEMA's Response Team to the Trauma Centre for immediate medical attention and are reported to be in stable condition.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered by “an electrical surge from the prepaid meter located at the front section of the building’s balcony before extending to the topmost floor.”

Fortunately, no civilian casualties or injuries were recorded in the incident. Dampening-down operations are ongoing to extinguish any residual heat and prevent a recurrence, while recovery efforts are underway to secure the building and assess the extent of the damage. LASEMA expressed appreciation for the professionalism and gallantry of all emergency responders. The agency's Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of electrical installations, particularly prepaid meters and wiring, to avert future electrical surges.

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During the firefighting operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while combating the fire.