Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that fire incidents caused an estimated economic loss of ₦19.52 billion in 2024. The governor described the frequent fires as a significant threat to the state’s economy and its residents.
The State’s Response
During the Lagos State International Fire Safety Conference 2.0, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted new initiatives to combat the problem.
- “Safety on the Move”: This program is designed to address frequent tanker fires.
- Public Awareness: The state is also increasing its public safety campaigns in markets, schools, and residential areas to help residents identify fire hazards and learn prevention techniques.
Sanwo-Olu praised the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) for responding to over 2,500 emergency calls in 2023. He also urged stakeholders to adopt modern firefighting technologies and strengthen the emergency response system.
Fire Statistics from 2024
Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the LSFRS, provided specific data on fire incidents in 2024.
- Property Saved: The agency saved property worth ₦117.12 billion.
- Property Lost: The total estimated value of property lost was ₦19.52 billion.
- Victims: A total of 450 people were rescued alive, while 91 were confirmed dead.
- Compliance: The LSFRS issued 7,039 fire safety compliance certificates and found that 831 companies did not comply with safety codes.
- Incident Drop: The total number of fire incidents dropped from 2,573 in 2023 to 1,952 in 2024.
Olugbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties, stated that the government remains committed to achieving “zero fire incidents” and is re-evaluating its strategies to tackle the issue.
