Fresh Fire Razes 50 Shanties, Sacks Residents in Lagos

 

The fire raging at Okobaba area of Ebute Meta today

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Barely a day after an inferno razed down about 10 structures at the Makoko Waterfront Community, at the Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos State, a fresh fire yesterday gutted more structures at Okobaba Community, Ebute Meta area of the state.

The fire which rendered scores of people homeless razed down over 50 shanties and also devoured some parts of the saw-mill in the area thereby rendering many jobless too.

Although the cause was yet to be ascertained, the fire which lasted for over two hours was exacerbated by the fact that the buildings in the area were constructed with wood.

Eyewitness account said the fire started at about 5.30pm and attempts by the residents to put it out proved abortive as the fire spread wildly to Market and Kadara Streets.

One of the victims who was identified as Ogbonna Asoqwuo said, “When the fire started, we tried to put it out but it spread wildly. It took the efforts of the state Fire Service to put it out.

“The harmattan season did not help matters as the wind helped the fire to spread. We lost our homes and means of livelihood because the saw-mill also got burnt.

Confirming the fire, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service and Safety Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said the weather made the fire worse.

He said, “The fire consumed most of the houses built with corrugated sheets and wooden planks popularly known as shanties and it also affected the saw-mill.

“To put out the fire, we had to send for four tankers filled with water from Alausa, Ikeja, Ilupeju and Onikan stations.

“From preliminary investigations, we learnt that the fire was started by someone who was burning tyres or garbage in the area and it spiraled out of control.”

While urging members of the public to exercise caution with fire especially during the harmattan season, he lamented that between Monday and Tuesday, the service had responded to 21 cases of fire outbreak.

This is just as The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has enjoined Nigerians to take precautionary measures against the effects of harmattan season in order to avoid fire incidents.

According to the Information Officer NEMA, South West Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Iyiola Akande, had to make the appeal in view of the effects of extreme weather which causes fires to spread quickly.

He said, “NEMA is appealing that all disaster management and municipal authorities should enlighten the public on avoidable fire incidents during the period.

“Community leaders should also be involved to educate particularly those living in peculiar environments to be cautious about the use of firewood or other smoldering objects and heating materials.

“Such fires must be put out immediately after use. Adults who indulge in wildlife games in bush burning to catch rodents and other animals must desist especially in this season.

“The same caveat applies to people who are in the habit of burning refuse dumps without supervising them to ensure that the fires do not spread too far.”