LASEMA: Fire guts Radio Nigeria Lagos, destroys studios, others 

As reported by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ikoyi, Lagos, has suffered a great loss, following a fire outbreak which destroyed the studios and other valuables in the buildings.

As gathered by the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), LASEMA, disclosed the news in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu on Thursday.

According to Olufemi, the fire gutted two buildings, including the music and radio studio, and the control rooms on Wednesday.

LASEMA also revealed how the fire, which came from an air conditioning unit, before spreading to other buildings, started on Wednesday night.

“The fire left three studios and the roofs of the buildings totally destroyed.”

“Properties lost to the fire outbreak were much, as several offices in the storey buildings were greatly affected.”

“However, we didn’t record any fatalities or injuries as a result of the outbreak.”

LASEMA said that the agency swiftly responded to the emergency and completely quenched the fire around 10:45 P.M on Wednesday.

“The LASEMA Response Team, in cooperation with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service and the LASAMBUS officials were able to control the fire to avoid further escalation,” the P.S stated.

“We were able to recover valuable properties during the recovery operation.”

In a separate incident, earlier this week, a fire outbreak was reported at Alayabiagba Market, Boundary Road, Apapa, Ajegunle area of the state.

LASEMA reported that the fire outbreak caused extensive damage, burning 11 shops and properties worth millions of naira.

The fire was reportedly caused by a gas leakage, according to the agency’s report.

“The investigation found that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop, where gas cylinders were stored, and was triggered by a gas leak from one of the cylinders that spread to other shops in the area.”

Know about LASEMA

LASEMA stands for Lagos State Emergency Management Agency. It is a government agency responsible for managing and responding to emergencies and disasters in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Functions of LASEMA

Emergency response: LASEMA responds to emergencies such as fires, accidents, and natural disasters.

Disaster management: The agency develops and implements plans to mitigate and manage disasters.

Search and rescue: LASEMA conducts search and rescue operations during emergencies.

Relief and rehabilitation: The agency provides relief materials and supports rehabilitation efforts after disasters.

Structure of LASEMA

The Lagos agency is headed by a Director-General, with various departments, including Operations, Planning, and Logistics.

Also, the agency has emergency response teams that respond to emergencies.

Achievements of LASEMA

LASEMA has responded effectively to various emergencies in Lagos State.

The agency has implemented measures to reduce disaster risk in Lagos State.

Moreso, it has engaged and still engaging with communities to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

Challenges Facing LASEMA

LASEMA faces challenges due to limited resources, including funding and equipment and inadequate infrastructure, including roads and communication networks.

The agency also faces challenges in raising public awareness about disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

Fire outbreaks in Nigeria

Fire outbreaks in Nigeria have become a recurring issue, causing significant damage to properties and loss of lives.

According to recent reports, the country has experienced a surge in fire incidents, resulting in enormous economic losses.

Causes of Fire Outbreaks in Nigeria

Several factors contribute to the increasing cases of fire outbreaks in Nigeria. Some of the major causes include crelessness, such as indiscriminate petrol storage and careless disposal of cigarette stubs, is a significant contributor to fire outbreaks.

The rapid growth of cities without adequate public infrastructure management increases the risk of fire outbreaks.

In addition, the lack of effective emergency response mechanisms and equipment hinders the ability to respond promptly and effectively to fire incidents.

Impact of Fire Outbreaks in Nigeria

Fire outbreaks have resulted in significant economic losses, with estimates suggesting that the country lost over N6 trillion between 2012 and 2017.

It have also resulted in the loss of many lives, with reports indicating that over 136 people died in fire incidents in 2021.

Efforts to Address Fire Outbreaks in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has taken steps to address the issue of fire outbreaks. Some of the initiatives include:

Training and retraining of firefighters: The Federal Fire Service has sent officers for advanced training in Belarus, and there have been professional training courses for officers with different safety agencies.

Renovation and construction of Fire Stations: The Federal Government has renovated 16 fire service stations and constructed five new ones to boost prompt response and relieve existing ones of undue pressure.

Procurement of equipment: The government has approved the procurement and upgrade of equipment, including fire fighting engines, water tankers, and ambulances.

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