Electrical Surge Triggers Lagos Building Fire, Two Firefighters Collapse

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that two firefighters were 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.

LASEMA spokesperson Olawale Afolabi said in a statement on Sunday that the fire broke out at about 6:31 a.m. at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi.

According to him, the fire affected one of a pair of twin three-storey residential buildings and was traced to an electrical surge from a prepaid meter.

He said emergency responders from LASEMA’s Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the adjoining building and nearby properties.

“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 said.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire started from an electrical surge at the prepaid meter located on the building’s balcony before spreading to the top floor.

During the operation, two personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service collapsed while fighting 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,” Afolabi added.

He confirmed that no civilian was injured or killed in the incident.

Afolabi said dampening-down and recovery operations were ongoing to eliminate residual heat, secure the structure and assess the extent of the damage.

Reacting to the incident, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents to regularly inspect electrical installations, particularly prepaid meters and wiring, to reduce the risk of electrical fires.

He also advised Lagos residents to contact the state’s emergency toll-free lines, 112 or 767, in the event of any emergency.