The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that a fire razed the upper floor of a one-storey commercial building housing computer dealers at Computer Village, Ikeja.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to reporters on Tuesday.
According to him, distress alerts were received at about 1:55 a.m. through the 767/112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting LASEMA to activate the state’s Emergency Response Plan from its Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
“Upon arrival at the scene at about 2:15 a.m., the LASEMA response team encountered active flames and thick smoke engulfing the upper floor of the one-storey commercial building, which is primarily used for the storage and sale of computers and accessories,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the high concentration of combustible materials in the building contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
He added that the cause of the incident was yet to be determined and was currently under investigation.
“No lives were lost in the incident; however, one firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was treated on-site by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS),” he said.
The permanent secretary said the entire upper floor of the building was destroyed, with goods and property worth millions of naira lost to the inferno.
He added that the structure had been partially compromised and would require an immediate structural integrity assessment.
“The area was promptly cordoned off, and necessary safety measures were implemented to protect adjoining buildings, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring structures,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the fire had been fully extinguished, while damping-down operations were ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.
He urged operators of commercial facilities to strictly adhere to fire safety measures and proper storage protocols.
He said agencies that responded to the incident included LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS and the Nigeria Police Force.
