A fire outbreak in the Oyingbo area of Lagos has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman and caused significant damage to several apartments and shops. The blaze occurred in a residential bungalow on Bola Street, located off Kadara Street, and left a trail of destruction in its wake.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported that it received emergency calls at approximately 11:43 am on Thursday. The agency quickly activated its response plan and dispatched teams from its Onipanu base. Emergency responders arrived at the scene by 12:13 pm, only to find the bungalow, which had two attached shops, fully engulfed in flames.

The fire reportedly began in one of the rooms before spreading to other sections of the building. As of the latest update, the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

LASEMA’s Response Team quickly cordoned off the area and conducted a risk assessment to protect nearby buildings from the spreading fire. Firefighters from both the LASEMA Fire Unit and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, along with other support agencies, worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.

Sadly, the fire claimed the life of the elderly woman before rescuers could reach her. Her remains have been handed over to her family for burial.

The incident affected a total of eight room-and-parlour apartments, one self-contained mini flat, and six shops. Additionally, household goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the fire. Thankfully, after several hours of intense efforts, the fire was completely extinguished, and the risk of further damage was minimized.

LASEMA concluded its rescue and recovery operations, with multiple agencies involved, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and local government officials from the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, led by Vice Chairman Adewale Moshood Momo.

Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, who signed the preliminary report, urged residents to follow fire safety measures and to report emergencies promptly to the appropriate authorities.