Fire guts Lagos shanties, sawmills

Fire on Tuesday erupted at Okobaba, a community in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, destroying shanties and rendering many homeless.

It was learnt that some sawmills in the area were also affected by the fire, which lasted for over two hours.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained at press time.

Residents were said to have attempted to put out the fire to no avail as they lost all their belongings.

An eyewitness, Shehu Yusuf, said the fire started around 5.30pm and affected two streets.

He said, “The fire spread from Market Street down to Kadara Street and affected over 50 shanties. We all tried to put out the fire but it continued to spread. Most of us are sawmillers and our houses are made of wood, I can tell you that the loss incurred in this fire will run into millions of naira.”

It was learnt that firefighters fought stiffly to put out the fire.

The councilor, Ward G, Lagos Island Local Government, Isiaka Aremu, said the fire was caused by someone who was cooking in the area.

Aremu said at least 80 shops were consumed in the fire.

He said, “I learnt that someone made a fire, probably to cook, and that was how the fire started. I also learnt that some boys sell petrol in the area and this also worsened the issue. At least 80 shops and shanties were burnt and some sawmills were affected.

“Many people have been rendered homeless and right now families are sleeping outside.”

Director of Lagos State Fire Service and Safety Services, Rasaq Fadipe, said the weather also contributed to the destruction.

He said, “The fire consumed most of the houses built with corrugated sheets and wooden planks and it also affected sawmills, making the fire to spread. We had to send for four tankers from Alausa, Ikeja, Ilupeju and Onikan before we could quench the fire.

“The cause of the fire cannot be ascertained now but we can say that because we are in a dry season, the fire was spreading fast. I learnt the fire was started by someone who was burning tyres or garbage in the area and it burnt out of control.”


Source: Punch