One man sustained burn injuries after a fire destroyed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road, Itire, Lagos State, while he was attempting to rescue a 75-year-old wheelchair user from the building.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Senior Public Affairs Officer, Fadairo Maria.
According to the agency, firefighters rescued both men from the building at 43 Onitire Road, Smith Bus Stop, Itire, following the outbreak.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has successfully contained a fire outbreak at 43 Onitire Road, Smith Bus Stop, Itire, Lagos, rescuing two adult males, one of whom sustained burn injuries,” the statement read.
The agency said it received a distress call at about 9.10pm, while firefighters arrived at the scene at 9.35pm and began firefighting and rescue operations.
It explained that the fire spread from the bungalow to part of a three-bedroom flat on the upper floor of an adjoining two-storey residential building.
“The fire involved an eight-room bungalow and extended to a three-bedroom flat on the upper floor of an adjoining two-storey residential building. The bungalow and its contents were severely damaged by the fire, while the affected section of the two-storey building and its contents sustained minor damage,” the statement read.
The 75-year-old wheelchair user was rescued alive, while the 42-year-old man who suffered burns during his rescue attempt was taken to Gbagada General Hospital by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service for treatment.
“During the operation, firefighters rescued a 75-year-old man alive from the bungalow. A 42-year-old man, who sustained burn injuries in his earlier bid to rescue the wheel-chair ridden aged man, was also rescued and transported to Gbagada General Hospital by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for medical attention,” the statement read.
Firefighters from the Isolo, Sari and Bolade stations responded to the incident, alongside personnel of the Federal Fire Service from Ojuelegba.
Other agencies at the scene included the Lagos Response Unit, LASAMBUS, the Nigeria Police Force, Itire Division, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
Although the fire was brought under control, the agency said investigations were ongoing to establish its exact cause.
“Preliminary assessment suggests that negligence resulting to an electrical surge may have caused the incident; however, the exact cause remains subject to further determination,” the statement read.
The Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, urged residents to ensure their electrical installations were properly maintained, avoid overloading sockets and engage qualified electricians to repair faulty systems.
She also advised residents to switch off electrical appliances when not in use and report fire emergencies through the toll-free numbers 112 or 767, or the Lagos Fire hotline, 08033235891.
