Textile materials and fashion
accessories estimated at millions of naira have been consumed after fire
gutted a shopping plaza on Broad Street on the Lagos Island area of
Lagos State.
accessories estimated at millions of naira have been consumed after fire
gutted a shopping plaza on Broad Street on the Lagos Island area of
Lagos State.
Also, a section of the Skye Bank branch in Ikeja was gutted by fire, destroying some property.
The Lagos Island fire started around 8.55am after a power surge.
Workers at the plaza were said to have
made frantic efforts to put out the fire before inviting officials of
the Lagos State Fire Service and men of the Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency.
made frantic efforts to put out the fire before inviting officials of
the Lagos State Fire Service and men of the Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency.
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While some traders watched helplessly as their goods burnt, others were said to have struggled to salvage their wares.
A firefighter with the state fire
service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Punch newspaper that the fire started from
the second floor of the three-storey building, adding that more than
three fire trucks were deployed in the scene.
service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Punch newspaper that the fire started from
the second floor of the three-storey building, adding that more than
three fire trucks were deployed in the scene.
He said, “It is a three-storey shopping
plaza where they sell female fashion items like bags, shoes and other
accessories. The fire started from the second floor and was caused by an
electrical surge. We were able to curtail the spread quickly.
plaza where they sell female fashion items like bags, shoes and other
accessories. The fire started from the second floor and was caused by an
electrical surge. We were able to curtail the spread quickly.
“Firemen from the Onikan, Sari Iganmu and Alausa stations responded with 10,000 litres of water each.”
The General Manager of LASEMA, Michael
Akindele, said there was no casualty in the incident, adding that some
traders were able to save their wares.
Akindele, said there was no casualty in the incident, adding that some
traders were able to save their wares.
“No life was lost and there were no
injuries. Traders in areas not affected moved out their goods;
everything is under control,” he added.
injuries. Traders in areas not affected moved out their goods;
everything is under control,” he added.
In the Ikeja incident, PUNCH Metro gathered that the server room of Skye Bank caught fire around 10.50am.
The prompt response of firemen from the Ikeja fire station was said to have prevented the fire from escalating.
Our correspondent was told by a firefighter that the fire was also caused by a power surge.
“They called the fire service on time
and that was what saved the day. The fire started from their internet
server room. There was a spark, which started a fire.
and that was what saved the day. The fire started from their internet
server room. There was a spark, which started a fire.
“But we were able to stand with them till the problem was fixed and banking operation resumed without much delay,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, called for increased vigilance among residents.
He said, “Both fire were caused by electrical upsurge and that is why we always tell people to be cautious.
“You can use the back of your hand to
feel the heat of your electrical gadget. When it is hot, you should know
it is a potential hazard.”
feel the heat of your electrical gadget. When it is hot, you should know
it is a potential hazard.”