Two rescued, one injured as fire guts bungalow in Itire, Lagos
Two men were rescued from a fire that destroyed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road at Smith Bus Stop in Itire, Lagos. One individual suffered burn injuries while attempting to assist an elderly man.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported the incident occurred at 43 Onitire Road. An emergency call was received at approximately 9:10 p.m., and firefighters arrived at the scene by 9:35 p.m. to start firefighting efforts.
During the operation, firefighters successfully rescued a 75-year-old man who requires a wheelchair. A 42-year-old man, injured during his attempt to save the elderly resident, was taken to Gbagada General Hospital for treatment by officials from the Lagos State Ambulance Service.
The fire caused extensive damage to the bungalow and spread to an adjacent three-bedroom flat in a two-storey residential building. While the bungalow was severely impacted, the connected unit experienced only minor damage.
Firefighters from the Isolo, Sari, and Bolade fire stations, along with assistance from the Federal Fire Service in Ojuelegba, managed the firefighting operation. Other agencies present included the Lagos Response Unit, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, officers from the Nigeria Police Force at the Itire Division, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
The fire was contained successfully, though preliminary assessments suggest that an electrical surge due to negligence might have triggered the incident. The definitive cause is still under investigation.
Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, emphasized the importance of maintaining electrical installations, avoiding socket overloads, and hiring qualified electricians for faulty repairs. She also advised residents to turn off electrical appliances when not in use and to promptly report fire emergencies through the agency’s toll-free lines.
