The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has managed three fire incidents in Lagos Island, Ojodu Berger, and Mushin areas. They also prevented a possible explosion after a petrol tanker carrying 45,000 litres of petrol fell at Ballet Bus Stop, heading towards Isolo.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, shared this in separate statements on Thursday. He noted that no deaths occurred during these incidents.
Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the fire at Folashade Tinubu Ojo Ebute-Ero Market in Gorodom started around 1.38 pm in part of a storey building used for storage.
He mentioned that early investigations showed the fire began on the ground floor and spread to the upper floor. This led to the deployment of the agency’s Sharks Team from Lekki.
The Permanent Secretary added that the response team worked with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Central Business District crew, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and the police to put out the fire.
He said, "Through the teamwork of the Agency’s Response Team, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Central Business District Crew, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and the Nigeria Police Force, we completely put out the fire and stopped it from spreading to nearby buildings and shops in the crowded market."
Oke-Osanyintolu also noted that this effort saved goods and property worth millions of naira and avoided a serious incident in the busy market.
He said that an adult male who fell from the storey building during the fire was rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. He added that operations to put out any remaining hotspots were ongoing to secure the area.
In another incident, Oke-Osanyintolu reported that a fire started at 3Pots by 217 Lounge, located at 71 Obokun Avenue, off Baale Street, Ojodu Berger.
He said the agency’s Tiger Team responded to this fire, and initial findings indicated it was caused by an electrical surge from an air-conditioning unit on the top floor of the two-storey building.
According to him, the fire damaged property on the top floor but did not spread to the lower floors or nearby buildings. Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that the fire was put out, recovery operations were finished, and there were no casualties.
The Permanent Secretary also mentioned that another fire affected a shop at 34 Ladipo Street, Mushin, around 4.07 pm before spreading to three nearby shops.
He said early investigations showed that the fire started when public electricity supply was restored. The agency’s Alpha Eagle Team from Cappa worked with the LRU Fire Unit, the LSFRS, the LNSC, and the police to extinguish the fire.
Oke-Osanyintolu remarked that their coordinated effort stopped the fire from spreading to other buildings along the busy street. He also confirmed that no deaths or injuries occurred, and operations to cool down the area were completed.
Meanwhile, Oke-Osanyintolu stated that a tanker carrying 45,000 litres of petrol fell on its side at Ballet Bus Stop, heading towards Isolo, around 4.46 pm. This blocked traffic and caused fuel to spill.
He explained that the tanker fell as its driver tried to avoid a collision with a truck that was overtaking it from behind. The incident also involved a Mercedes-Benz 4Matic Jeep with registration number JJJ-478KP.
The Permanent Secretary said the agency quickly shut down the road to prevent an explosion. They activated crowd control measures and deployed safety protocols to manage the situation.
He stated, "In line with global best practice for incidents involving highly flammable products, we immediately shut the road to prevent any chance of explosion, activated crowd control, and followed our safety protocols."
Oke-Osanyintolu said the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service started using foam on the tanker and the surrounding area to suppress fumes.
He added that an empty tanker was brought in to transfer the remaining petrol, and a private tow truck was on standby to remove the fallen tanker afterward. Oke-Osanyintolu assured that the area was secured as they continued transferring the remaining fuel, and there were no casualties.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged traders and residents to ensure their electrical connections are safe and avoid overloading circuits. He called on truck drivers to follow traffic rules and avoid reckless overtaking.
He also encouraged everyone to report emergencies through the agency’s toll-free lines, 112 and 767, for quick help.
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