Monumental damages as fire ravages police station on New Year eve

A devastating fire outbreak has wreaked havoc on the Okokomaiko Police Station in Lagos, leaving nine offices and several nearby properties in ruins.

The blaze began when a diesel tanker, offloading fuel at a location near the police station, caught fire and quickly spread to adjoining structures.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, December 31. He explained that the tanker, which was laden with 10,000 litres of diesel, ignited while discharging fuel intended for a network mast.

The flames spread rapidly, causing significant damage to the police station and surrounding buildings.

Emergency responders were alerted via distress calls and swiftly deployed to the scene. Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu noted that their rapid intervention, in collaboration with other agencies, contained the fire and minimised damage to additional properties. Despite the extensive destruction, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported.

The fire destroyed several structures, including sections of the police station, residential buildings, shops, and a nearby hotel’s facilities.

Read also: Kano gov’t distributes ₦12.7m to 281 victims of fire disaster

Household items, commercial goods, and critical infrastructure such as a PHCN transformer were also damaged. Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu highlighted that negligence during the discharge of diesel likely contributed to the incident.

Authorities have emphasised the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent such disasters in the future. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and ensure accountability for the losses incurred.

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