Two firefighters have been hospitalised after collapsing while battling a fire that engulfed the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning, prompting a swift response from emergency agencies, whose intervention prevented the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olawale Afolabi, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the fire was reported at about 6:31 a.m.
According to Afolabi, the incident affected one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings located at No. 11 Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi.
He said emergency responders from LASEMA’s Tiger Squad, working alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, immediately commenced firefighting operations upon arriving at the scene.
“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.
“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,” Afolabi stated.
Preliminary investigations, he said, revealed that the fire was triggered by an electrical surge originating from a prepaid electricity meter installed at the front balcony of the building before spreading to the upper floor.
According to the agency, the prompt response by emergency personnel ensured that the neighbouring residential building and surrounding properties were protected from the flames.
During the operation, however, two firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reportedly collapsed while working to extinguish the fire.
Afolabi explained that LASEMA’s response team immediately evacuated both officers to the Trauma Centre for urgent medical attention using the agency’s ambulance and an emergency response vehicle.
“During the firefighting operation, two officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while combating the fire.
“The agency’s Response Team promptly evacuated both officers to the Trauma Centre for immediate medical attention using the agency’s ambulance and a LASEMA Response Team vehicle.
“Both officers are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition,” he said.
Despite the severity of the incident, the agency confirmed that no civilian casualties or injuries were recorded.
“Fortunately, no loss of life or civilian injuries were recorded in the incident,” Afolabi added.
He noted that firefighters continued dampening-down operations to eliminate residual heat and prevent a possible re-ignition of the fire.
Recovery operations were also ongoing to secure the affected structure and assess the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
LASEMA commended the courage and professionalism displayed by emergency responders throughout the operation, particularly members of the Tiger Squad and personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
“LASEMA wishes to appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of all emergency responders, particularly the Tiger Squad and personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, whose swift intervention prevented what could have been a more devastating outcome,” the statement added.
Reacting to the incident, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents to regularly inspect and maintain electrical installations, especially prepaid meters and internal wiring, to minimise the risk of electrical surges and fire outbreaks.
He also advised members of the public to remain calm during emergencies and cooperate fully with emergency responders while encouraging residents to use the state’s toll-free emergency lines, 112 or 767, to report incidents promptly.
The latest incident comes months after the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service successfully contained a fire at the Polaris Bank building on Broad Street, Lagos Island.
That incident involved a stationary saloon car parked on the third floor of the 17-storey building, with emergency responders preventing the fire from escalating into a major disaster within the commercial district.
