There was panic on Abdul Street, along University Road in the Abule-Oja area of Lagos State on Wednesday following a fire outbreak on buildings in the vicinity.
A video shared on twitter showed thick plume of smoke on what appeared to be two buildings, prompting calls for emergency responders to move in and contain the spread of the fire.
A crowd of passers-by were seen trying to put out the fire with water as panic spread.
It is not clear yet if the Lagos State fire service have put out the fire and the extent of the damage incurred.
The cause of the fire outbreak has also not been determined as of the time of filing this report.
This incident comes just a few days after fire gutted the headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank in Abuja, destroying items reportedly worth N500 million.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that no lives were lost after a fire destroyed several makeshift residential structures in Abule-Oja, Yaba, on Wednesday.
According to the agency, the swift and coordinated response by emergency personnel prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings, limiting the extent of the damage.
In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the incident occurred at 9/10 Abudu Street, Abule-Oja, along the UNILAG Road corridor.
The agency explained that emergency teams were dispatched immediately after receiving a distress call. Responders included officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, UNILAG Fire Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and LASEMA’s Alpha Cobra Base.
LASEMA noted that the fire spread rapidly because the affected buildings were closely packed and constructed with highly combustible materials. However, the prompt intervention of emergency responders prevented the flames from extending to surrounding properties.
The agency disclosed that a nearby two-storey building was successfully protected during the operation, while no fatalities or injuries were recorded.
Officials added that firefighters continued dampening-down operations to extinguish lingering hotspots and eliminate the risk of the fire reigniting. The affected area has also been secured to ensure public safety.
LASEMA further revealed that a comprehensive assessment of the damage is ongoing, while relevant government agencies have been mobilised to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to residents affected by the incident.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has commenced an investigation in collaboration with other relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
The Lagos State Government commended the various emergency agencies for their rapid and coordinated response, while also appreciating residents for cooperating throughout the rescue operation.
The government also reminded residents to adhere to basic fire safety measures by avoiding faulty electrical installations, preventing the overloading of power sockets, and ensuring homes and business premises are equipped with functional fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.