An unfortunate incident occurred recently at the Sawmill and Timber Market in Lagos, resulting from a fire caused by a faulty high voltage cable. The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in an official statement.
The tragedy unfolded around 4:20 p.m. when LASEMA received a distress call via its toll-free emergency numbers and immediately put its response plan in place. Response teams from the Igando area were quickly deployed to the scene, from the agency’s central base in Cappa. Once they arrived, they found that a fire was devastating the sawmill, plank and building materials market.
Initial investigations revealed that the fire was caused by a faulty high-voltage cable, which had severed and fallen onto dry wooden planks. The instantaneous combustion of the cable caused a fire which quickly spread throughout the market area.
The electricity distribution company was immediately alerted and interrupted power supply to the area from the national grid. Firefighting units from LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Fighting Services quickly mobilized to control the flames and prevent them from spreading to neighboring buildings at the market.
Unfortunately, many businesses were affected by the fire and goods worth millions of naira were lost. Fortunately, no deaths were reported in this incident.
This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance of electrical infrastructure to avoid such accidents. It also highlights the need for a rapid and coordinated response from emergency agencies to prevent an even greater disaster.
In conclusion, this tragic fire at the Lagos sawmill and plank market reminds everyone of the importance of safety and alertness to potential risks. It is fundamental to take preventative measures to minimize incidents and to be prepared to respond quickly in the event of an emergency situation.