‘Lagos recorded 1,462 emergencies in six months’

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, on Monday, said a total of 1,462 emergency cases were recorded in the state from January to June, 2023.

The Director of the agency, Abimbola Adeseye, who disclosed this in the agency’s mid-year activity report, stated that the agency rescued 177 emergency victims while 42 were recovered dead within the period under review.

A statement issued on Monday by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Agboola Ololade, added that properties salvaged during emergencies were estimated to be worth about N87.72bn “leaving the properties loss to N14.62bn.”

Adeseye said the fire service remained committed to ensuring safety of lives and property in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.

Adeseye said, “The agency is the first and major responder to emergency/disaster in the state and has been committed to being same.”

The agency also disclosed that during the period under review, it received 924 distress call, was involved 92 rescue operations; 41 salvage operations; three incidents of explosion and two incidents of building collapse.

It, however, said it received 400 false emergency calls.

Adeseye noted that fire incidences increased during the period compared to the previous year.

She attributed the causes of the increase to carelessness and negligence, urging Lagosians to be safety-conscious, especially with the advent of migration from gasoline to liquefied petroleum gas/compressed natural gas.