248 escape death in Lagos fire incidents as N14.99 billion went up in smoke

At least 248 people escaped death in 1,499 fire incidents recorded in Lagos State from January to November.
According to the monthly activities report of the Lagos State Fire Service, N89.94 billion worth of property were saved. Also, property estimated at N14.99 billion were destroyed in the fire incidents.


In the period under review, the agency responded to 108 emergency calls ranging from rescue of victims who got drowned in the well or swimming pool and those trapped in the nine collapsed buildings recorded in the past 11 months.
However, about 150 lives were lost in disaster situations, including that of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), which occurred on September 12. In March alone, the fire service responded to 131 fire calls, eight rescue calls and 33 false calls which totalled 172 calls. The report showed that the Lagos residents are still fond of making false calls despite government’s warning on such act as 276 false calls were made during the period. The value of properties saved in March alone is put at N10.32 billion.
But April, N9.78 billion was saved from 163 fire incidents. Meanwhile, the state Director of Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, has appealed to the Lagos residents to stop harassing fire service personnel and trained emergency responders during emergencies.