Fire guts house in Lagos as residents lament delayed response
17 December 2020 |
3:15 am
There was an uproar on Tuesday evening at No. 5, Shonde Street, Itire area of Surulere, Lagos, as firefighters who were called by neighbours of a burning house arrived late at the scene after the house was completely burnt
There was an uproar on Tuesday evening at No. 5, Shonde Street, Itire area of Surulere, Lagos, as firefighters who were called by neighbours of a burning house arrived late at the scene after the house was completely burnt and properties looted by thugs who assisted in putting off the fire.
According to Damilola Martins, the landlord’s son, the fire was caused by an electric spark some minutes after electricity was restored around 4 p.m. yesterday, leading to an explosion.
An eyewitness lamented alleged apathy displayed by the firefighters, saying they had promptly called the firefighters about eight times when the fire started, but the calls were transferred from one quarter to another, first from Abuja to Lagos and then Ojuelegba station, while residents rallied to put off the fire.
“Some affected residents in the one-storey building only managed to escape being caught in the inferno. They could not salvage any of their properties while the house was burnt down completely,” he said.
The firefighters, it was gathered later, came with their truck and some policemen around 6:00 p.m. by which time the house had been razed and the fire put out by neighbours.
PraiseGod Okoro, one of the fire responders, said they were harassed by neighbours, and they had to kneel down to beg for coming late. He lamented that the government was negligent to the security and safety of people’s lives and properties.
But the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said in a statement that fire was extinguished by emergency responders who stormed the premises when the alarm was raised, adding that the fire was caused by an electric power surge when supply was restored to the area.
“Fortunately, no life was lost and no injury sustained. The combined efforts of the agency’s responders and firefighters from Lagos State and the Federal Fire Service were engaged in curtailing the spread of the fire to adjoining buildings and have extinguished it completely. The operation has been concluded,” he said.
Related
1 hour ago
The Lagos State Government said it will test run the Redline Rail from Agbado to Iddo next week. The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday. Omotoso said that for two months, various interest groups and stakeholders will be invited to take a ride on…
1 hour ago
Nigerian Army troops have successfully repelled an attack by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
2 hours ago
Police operatives in Katsina have foiled an attack on Sabuwa town, headquarters of Sabuwa local government area of the state, neutralising one suspected bandit.
2 hours ago
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, says the administration of President Bola Tinubu is working to put Nigeria on a solid economic pedestal.
2 hours ago
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Thursday concluded a seven-day campaign tour of the 18 local government areas of the state ahead of the Saturday’s governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
6 hours ago
Rising inflation and weak earnings have pushed 10 million Nigerians into poverty in 2023, the World Bank in its Macro Poverty Outlook for Nigeria: April 2024 has stated.
6 hours ago
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has said the country would be able to ramp up oil and gas production to feed Dangote and other local refineries by curtailing pipeline vandalisation and oil theft through its new partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
6 hours ago
Spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Ahmad Aruwa, has accused the presidency of working against the party’s suspended National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
6 hours ago
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has charged contractors and site engineers handling the construction of the 260 smart schools and 260 Type-2 primary health facilities in the 260 wards of the state on the delivery of world-class projects that would stand the test of time.
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.