The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has rescued two men from a fire that engulfed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road, Itire, with one of the victims sustaining burn injuries while attempting to save an elderly wheelchair user.
The incident occurred at 43 Onitire Road, Smith Bus Stop, Itire, Lagos, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Fadairo Maria.
The statement said the emergency call was received at about 9:10 p.m., while firefighters arrived at the scene at 9:35 p.m. and immediately began firefighting and rescue operations.
According to the agency, the fire destroyed much of the bungalow and its contents before spreading to a three-bedroom flat on the upper floor of an adjoining two-storey residential building, causing minor damage to the affected section.
Firefighters rescued a 75-year-old wheelchair user from the burning bungalow, while a 42-year-old man who sustained burns during his attempt to rescue the elderly man was taken to Gbagada General Hospital by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
Firefighters from the Isolo, Sari and Bolade stations responded to the incident, supported by the Federal Fire Service, Ojuelegba. The Lagos Response Unit, LASAMBUS, the Nigeria Police Force’s Itire Division and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also assisted at the scene.
The agency confirmed that the fire was brought under control, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish its exact cause.
It said preliminary findings suggested that negligence resulting in an electrical surge might have triggered the fire, although the cause had yet to be conclusively determined.
The Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, urged residents to maintain their electrical installations, avoid overloading sockets and engage qualified electricians to inspect and repair faulty electrical systems.
