Fire Razes Computer Village Building, Destroys Property Worth Millions
Property estimated to be worth several millions of naira was destroyed in the early hours of Tuesday following a fire outbreak at Computer Village, Ikeja area of Lagos State.
The inferno reportedly gutted a one-storey commercial building located on Somoye Osundairo Street, a major hub for the sale and storage of computers and electronic accessories. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Confirming the development, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that the agency received distress calls via its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines at about 1:55am.
He said the alert triggered the immediate activation of Lagos State’s emergency response plan from the Command and Control Centre in Alausa.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s response team arrived at the scene at about 2:15am, where they encountered active flames and thick smoke, indicating intense combustion within the building.
He explained that the structure was occupied by dealers in computers and accessories, noting that the presence of highly combustible materials significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The LASEMA boss stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak.
He disclosed that while no lives were lost, one firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was promptly treated on site by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
Oke-Osanyintolu revealed that the entire upper floor of the building was completely destroyed, with all goods and property stored within consumed by the inferno.
A preliminary assessment also indicated that the building’s structure had been partially compromised, necessitating an urgent structural integrity evaluation.
He added that upon arrival, LASEMA conducted a risk assessment and cordoned off the affected area to ensure public safety, while precautionary measures were put in place to protect nearby buildings.
The emergency response involved collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, and the Nigeria Police Force, which helped to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining structures.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, firefighting operations have been successfully concluded, while damping-down procedures are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.
He added that rescue and recovery operations have also been completed.
The LASEMA boss recommended a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, a comprehensive structural assessment of the affected building, and a review of fire safety measures and storage practices across commercial accessory buildings within Computer Village to prevent future incidents.