By Capital Watch Media
Two people are feared dead, and several others were injured following the collapse of a three-storey building in the Lekki area of Lagos on Wednesday, while a separate fire incident destroyed parts of a 20-room building in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, confirmed the building collapse in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu.
“So far, two adult males have been extricated from the rubbles of the collapsed building. Six seriously injured adult males were rescued and administered immediate medical care by the LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit before being transported to Marina General Hospital for further treatment,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The cause of the building collapse remains unknown, but LASEMA confirmed that search and rescue operations were still ongoing, with heavy-duty equipment deployed to the site.
“The Agency’s Response Teams are coordinating with other common stakeholders for an effective response. Our excavators and other light and heavy-duty equipment remain in operation,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
In a separate incident in Ilorin, Kwara State, an unattended gas cooker sparked a fire that engulfed parts of a 20-room building at No. 90 Koro Compound, Oke-Apomu quarters, around 1:53 pm on Wednesday.
Hassan Adekunle, spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, praised the swift response of the firefighters, who managed to save 13 out of the 20 rooms in the building.
“Demonstrating exceptional skill and efficiency, the firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire. Out of the 20 rooms in the storey building, 13 were successfully saved, while seven were affected by the inferno,” Adekunle said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started from an unattended gas cooker left on in one of the rooms.
Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, called on residents to prioritise fire safety to prevent such incidents from occurring.
“We urge the public to take fire safety seriously. Simple precautions, like turning off gas cookers when not in use, can prevent devastating incidents like this,” Olumuyiwa said.
As investigations into both incidents continue, emergency responders in Lagos and Ilorin remain on high alert to prevent further casualties and damage.
Authorities have advised residents to report any structural defects in their buildings and ensure proper safety measures are followed with household appliances.
