Fire engulfs sections of Docemo mart, hotel, police station in Lagos

Lagos witnessed two fire incidents on New Year’s Eve, leaving significant property damage but, fortunately, no loss of life.  

The first incident occurred at about 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, engulfing the topmost floor of a three-storey building at Number 2, Ido Oluwo, Lagos Island, in the bustling Docemo Market area.

Witnesses reported that the fire caused extensive damage to the property. This marks the second major fire at Docemo Market in a year, with previous incidents resulting in losses worth millions of naira.

The second fire involved a 33,000-liter diesel tanker discharging fuel at a hotel near Okokomaiko Police Station, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Ojo.

Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, acted swiftly to extinguish the fires and prevent further spread to adjacent structures.

While the incidents caused substantial property damage, no lives were lost in either case. These fires serve as a reminder of the critical need for improved safety measures in fuel handling and fire prevention in market areas.

The entire market was subsequently sealed for some period to carry out integrity tests on several buildings for safety purposes.

The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through his magnanimity, provided relief for victims through cash compensation subsequently.

Meanwhile, the second emergency happened at about 12:25.pm, when a 33,000-capacity diesel tanker while discharging content.

The Ojo and Ijegun-Egba Fire Stations responded to the emergency to save the occupants of the hotel and Police Station from the threat of the threatening fire rage.

Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, attributed both incidents to negligence as the former resulted from an electrical surge, while the latter occurred due to a safety infraction by the tanker operator who did not allow for cool-off before transmitting the engine power take-off.

“Fortunately, there was no record of injury and casualty as both Fires have been put out and operations concluded.,” Adeseye stated.