The Lagos state government has said it will probe the fire incident that occurred at a warehouse in Mile 2, Amuwo-Odofin local government area of the state.
The investigation will focus on the chemical contents stored in the warehouse, which is located within an industrial layout in the area.
A source in the state government said the probe was being initiated because of concerns over the nature of the chemicals stored at the facility.
“The state government, particularly the governor, is taking a keen interest in the incident,” the source said.
“Efforts are also ongoing to identify the owner of the warehouse and commence an investigation due to the chemical content and to ascertain the level of emergency measures put in place before the fire incident.”
Margaret Adeseye, controller-general of the Lagos state fire and rescue service, said the agency received a distress call at about 8:29 pm on Sunday.
Adeseye said firefighting crews arrived at the scene at 8:40 pm.
“Firefighters from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota, and Alausa fire stations were immediately mobilised to combat the blaze,” she said.
“The affected warehouse was stocked with chemical materials stored in hundreds of 200-litre drums, posing a significant risk.”
She said the fire was brought under control through “swift and coordinated intervention”, preventing damage to adjoining facilities.
Adeseye added that no casualty was recorded, noting that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges residents and business owners to adhere strictly to fire safety regulations at all times,” she said.
Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, permanent secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said preliminary findings linked the fire outbreak to chemicals stored in the facility.
“During the investigation into the probable cause of the fire, the response team established the fact that the fire started from a building behind the SAPID container terminal at Mile 2,” he said.
“Further investigation by the team established that several drums of chemicals and oils were stored inside the building, and this definitely is the cause of the fire.”
Oke-Osanyitolu said there was no loss of life due to the swift response of emergency agencies.
Eyewitnesses in the area said the fire started from the section of the warehouse facing the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
“The fire started on this side, which is the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, just beside the Lacasera company,” Dotun, an eyewitness, said.
“At first, no one could gain access to assist because it was a weekend, and by the time the gate was opened, the fire was already too much.”
Another resident said explosions were heard intermittently as the fire raged.
“We could hear the sound of explosions at intervals while the building was burning, which scared people from moving close to the scene,” the resident said.
A section of the building believed to house the administrative offices of the warehouse was partially affected by the fire.
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