Two Firefighters Hospitalised as Fire Guts Lagos Three-storey building

Two firefighters are receiving medical treatment after collapsing while battling a fire that engulfed the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos State on Sunday morning.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the incident occurred at about 6:31 a.m. at No. 11 Ademola Taiwo Street, Ketu-Ikosi, where one of a pair of adjoining three-storey residential buildings was engulfed by flames.

In a statement, LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Olawale Afolabi, said emergency responders, including the agency’s Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, swiftly mobilised to the scene and brought the blaze under control before it could spread to the neighbouring building and surrounding properties.

According to the agency, preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by an electrical surge from a prepaid meter located on the building’s balcony, which subsequently spread to the top floor.

“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.

During the operation, two personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reportedly collapsed while working to extinguish the flames.

LASEMA said its emergency response team immediately evacuated the firefighters to the Trauma Centre using an agency ambulance and a response vehicle.

“The two officers are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition,” the statement added.

Despite the intensity of the fire, the agency confirmed that no residents were killed or injured.

“Fortunately, no loss of life or civilian injuries were recorded in the incident,” Afolabi said.

Emergency responders remained at the scene to carry out dampening-down operations aimed at eliminating residual heat and preventing the fire from reigniting. Recovery efforts were also underway to secure the affected building and assess the extent of the damage.

LASEMA commended the professionalism and bravery of all emergency personnel involved in the operation, particularly members of the Tiger Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, whose prompt intervention helped avert what could have developed into a far more devastating incident.

Reacting to the fire, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged residents to routinely inspect and maintain electrical installations, especially prepaid meters and wiring, to reduce the risk of electrical faults that can trigger fire outbreaks.

He also encouraged members of the public to remain calm during emergencies, cooperate with first responders and promptly report incidents through the Lagos State emergency toll-free numbers, 112 or 767.