Lagos Fire Incidents Claim 65 Lives, Destroy N13.24bn Property
Fire and other emergencies claimed 65 suspected victims in Lagos State between January and September 2026. During the same period, property worth an estimated ₦13.24 billion was lost.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed these figures in its third-quarter activity report. The agency said it handled 1,324 emergency incidents during the nine-month period.
According to the report, firefighters responded to 1,135 fire incidents. They also rescued 210 people alive during emergency operations.
The report was made available to Vanguard by Fadairo Maria, the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer.
Lagos records over 1,100 fire incidents
The report covered several types of emergencies across the state. These included fires, rescue operations, building collapses and a gas-related explosion.
The agency recorded 79 rescue calls and 100 salvage operations. It also handled nine building collapse incidents and one gas-related explosion.
January recorded the highest number of emergencies, with 203 incidents. March followed closely with 201 cases. In contrast, September had the lowest figure, with 94 incidents.
March also recorded the highest number of fire calls. The agency received 176 calls that month, while January followed with 173.
September recorded the lowest number of fire incidents, with 80 calls.
False emergency calls raise concern
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also reported 341 false emergency calls between January and September.
The agency warned that such calls could delay firefighters from reaching people who genuinely need help. As a result, false reports could put lives and property at risk.
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Controller-General Margaret Abimbola Adeseye urged residents to take fire prevention seriously. She also called for faster reporting of emergencies and compliance with safety rules.
Adeseye advised residents to avoid burning materials carelessly. She also urged them to handle and store flammable substances safely.
In addition, she warned against overloading electrical sockets. Residents should switch off and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Fire service saves property worth ₦79.44bn
Despite the losses, the agency said its operations helped save property worth an estimated ₦79.44 billion.
However, property losses reached ₦13.24 billion during the period. The total estimated value of property affected by the incidents stood at ₦92.68 billion.
Adeseye stressed that false emergency calls could have serious consequences for emergency response.
“False emergency calls can delay the response of firefighters to genuine emergencies and potentially put lives, property and the environment at risk,” she said.
She urged residents to report fires promptly and cooperate with emergency responders at incident scenes.
Lagos fire service urges residents to improve safety
The Controller-General reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos.
She said the service would continue its emergency response work, public awareness campaigns and enforcement of fire safety standards. It would also work with communities to improve prevention.
Adeseye emphasised that prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the damage caused by fires.
Residents can help by checking electrical connections, keeping escape routes clear and ensuring that fire extinguishers are available and functional. Businesses, homes and public institutions should also maintain safe access for emergency crews.
The agency urged Lagos residents to remain alert and follow fire safety guidelines. These steps can help reduce avoidable emergencies and protect lives and property.
