Public safety: Emergency response efforts intensify as Lagos battles fire epidemic

…Illegal building conversions to warehouses fueling Lagos Fires — Sanwo-Olu

…LASG vows action against building code violations

By Sodiq Adelakun

The recent surge in fire outbreaks has captured public attention, raising concerns about safety standards and regulatory oversight.

What is particularly alarming is the revelation that some of these incidents have been fueled by the illegal conversion of residential buildings into warehouses.

As authorities scramble to contain the fires and assess the extent of the damage, questions abound regarding the enforcement of building codes and the risks posed by unauthorised conversions.

According to the Lagos State Fire Service in a report, the first three months of 2024 witnessed a devastating toll from fire outbreaks, with the loss of at least 16 lives and an estimated property damage of N7 billion.

The Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, revealed these figures in a recent interview.

Despite the tragic losses, there is some relief in the fact that 84 individuals were successfully rescued, and assets valued at approximately N42 billion were salvaged.

Recall that a fire outbreak at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) occurred on Tuesday, April 4th, 2024.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, and the fire has been successfully extinguished.

But the need to checkmate the cause of the fire must be strongly considered and the prevention must be outlined.

In a related development, A fire engulfed the prominent 10-storey Mandilas building situated on Broad Street, within the Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The confirmation of the fire outbreak was announced through a post on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday, January 21, 2024.

The statement from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed that the fire initially ignited on the first floor of the Mandilas building and has swiftly spread, reaching up to the fourth floor at the time of the report.

In the wake of the destructive fire outbreak that ravaged marketplaces across Lagos Island, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has taken decisive action, ordering a comprehensive assessment of buildings in the Dosunmu and surrounding areas.

This directive comes as a response to the extensive damage caused by the recent inferno, which resulted in the loss of property worth billions of naira.

The tragic incident unfolded just two days prior to the governor’s order, leaving behind a scene of devastation that continues to challenge first responders from the Lagos State Government.

Amidst the chaos, at least 14 multi-storey buildings were reduced to rubble, a grim reminder of the perilous consequences of negligent handling of flammable materials.

..Illegal building conversions to warehouses fueling Lagos Fires — Sanwo-Olu

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has raised alarm on building owners who illegally converted their residential buildings to warehouses are to be blamed partly for the fire that gutted the Dosunmu Market in Lagos Island on Tuesday.

While committing to a thorough investigation into the fire’s cause, the governor emphasised the urgent need to address unapproved and structurally compromised buildings within the market area.

Controversy surrounds the origin of the fire, with conflicting accounts emerging from traders and residents alike.

Some attribute the disaster to the illicit trade of combustible liquids, stored recklessly in warehouses adjacent to the affected buildings. Others speculate about possible acts of sabotage stemming from rivalries among traders.

In response to these challenges, Governor Sanwo-Olu vowed to enforce stringent measures against non-compliant structures and properties across marketplaces, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety.

As part of this effort, the Dosunmu market will remain closed until a comprehensive report on the incident is finalized.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decisive actions signal a commitment to restoring order and implementing proactive measures to prevent future calamities, underscoring the imperative of prioritizing public safety in densely populated urban areas like Lagos Island..

The governor decried conversion of residential buildings to warehouses without approval from the government, noting that preliminary report indicted owners of buildings in the market.

He was taken aback by the reckless storage of combustible materials in the market buildings despite extended warnings and advocacy by the state government on safe way to store such items in harsh weather.

In a related development, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, unveiled a robust plan to enhance fire safety across the city.

This innovative approach involves the deployment and training of Fire Safety Marshals in all buildings, ensuring the compulsory placement of fire extinguishers in every shop, conducting regular inspections and upkeep of electrical wiring by accredited professionals, enforcing stringent storage protocols, and implementing cutting-edge fire detection and suppression systems.

In response to escalating fire incidents, Margaret underscored the necessity of additional preventative measures. These include regulating generator placement to deter on-site fuel storage, prohibiting fuel storage within buildings, implementing stringent oversight on combustible material storage with mandatory permits, and introducing a whistleblower mechanism for reporting violations.

In an unwavering move, Governor Sanwo-Olu has issued a stern directive to the Ministry of Physical Planning and permit agencies to crack down on structures that fail to adhere to building codes and regulations.

Expressing his resolve, the Governor declared through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, “The Physical Planning authorities will face the full force of my administration over this recurring issue.

“When I’m through with them, they will feel the heat firsthand. These incidents cannot be tolerated any longer.”

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised, “We cannot idly stand by as traders jeopardize the safety of others by placing generators on rooftops and upper floors of buildings.

“Such practices are utterly unacceptable, especially in residential areas.”