The recent fire incident that engulfed four buildings in the Idumota area of Lagos Island Local Government Area has been attributed to the absence of a nearby water source, according to the Lagos zone of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

READ ALSO: Goods Worth Millions Destroyed As Fire Guts Idumota Market, Lagos

In a telephone interview with Punch Metro on Wednesday, Ibrahim Farinloye, the NEMA State Coordinator, highlighted the challenge faced by emergency responders in accessing sufficient water to effectively contain the fire and prevent its escalation.

Farinloye emphasized the critical lack of water supply near the fire site, which necessitated firefighting vehicles making multiple trips for water replenishment. He noted that, despite having over 10 firefighting appliances, there was no nearby water source available for use. Consequently, efforts to quell the fire were hindered, and the severity of the damage incurred was exacerbated.

Acknowledging the urgent need for a solution, Farinloye urged traders affected by the fire to collaborate with the government in establishing a water source close to the market area. He proposed the possibility of drilling a borehole or installing a fire hydrant section, suggesting that traders could contribute financially to this initiative. Additionally, he stressed the importance of training individuals as fire marshals to enhance prompt response to future fire incidents and encouraged traders to insure their goods for added protection.

In terms of assessing the impact on affected buildings, Farinloye mentioned that the Lagos Building Control Agency would evaluate two of the four buildings to ascertain their suitability for occupation. Meanwhile, efforts from various agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, NPA Fire Service, LASEMA, LASAMBUS, Nigeria Police Force, LNSC, CBD Men, and Julius Berger, were instrumental in containing the fire and preventing further escalation.

Providing insights into the cause of the fire, Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, attributed it to negligence exacerbated by the presence of combustible materials in the vicinity. Adeseye commended the collaborative efforts of firefighting teams in swiftly responding to the emergency and containing the blaze. Tragically, one of the affected buildings collapsed due to the intensity of the fire, while the blaze spread to adjacent properties.

Overall, the incident underscores the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and infrastructure, as well as collective efforts from both authorities and the community to mitigate such disasters effectively.