Family of five died, trapped in fire

There was panic and lamentations yesterday at the Shagari Estate, Ipaja area of Lagos State after a building went in flames, leading to the wiping out of the a family of five.

The victims have been identified as two teenagers, two female adults and one male adult.

Daily News Watch gathered that the fire, which started at about 1am, was probably caused by a candle lit in the house of the deceased family members.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, explained that the fire would have spread to a nearby building if not for the quick intervention of seasoned fire fighters on ground.

Fadipe further said that fire fighters used thousands of litres of water before the fire could be arrested.

His words: “It was around 1.39am that we received a distress call that a three-bedroom building, located behind a two-bedroom house, was on fire. I deployed men from Ikotun Fire Station at the scene but due to the intensity of the flames, we had to call for back up from Agege Fire Station, which sent another truck with 10,000 litres of water.

“We were able to put out the flames and on getting into the building, we discovered the burnt corpses of two male teenagers, two female adults and one male adult. The police have recovered the corpses.”

Fadipe implored members of the public to cultivate the habit of putting out a lighted candle before going to bed. People should also make sure they did not put lighted candles on top wooden objects.

According to him, people further learn to alert the fire service immediately there was a fire as this would increase the possibility of saving lives and properties.

Police spokesperson,  Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was under investigation at Gowon Estate Police Divison.