The Lagos State Government has called on residents to exercise heightened caution and embrace proactive safety measures as the dry season sets in, cautioning that avoidable lapses could lead to severe casualties and massive property destruction.
The warning comes in the wake of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service’s third-quarter report spanning January to September 2026, which revealed that emergency crews intervened in 1,324 incidents across the metropolis over the nine-month period.
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Fires represented the overwhelming majority of distress calls, with 1,135 separate outbreaks recorded. First responders also carried out 100 salvage operations, 79 rescue missions, managed nine building collapses, and responded to one gas-related blast.
First responders successfully evacuated and rescued 210 people across various operations, while 65 fatalities were recorded. On the economic front, rapid firefighting efforts helped preserve assets valued at approximately N79.44 billion, while estimated losses stood at N13.24 billion.
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Highlighting the findings, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, stressed that the figures demonstrate an urgent need for widespread public vigilance, particularly as arid weather significantly increases the likelihood of fire outbreaks.
She emphasized that avoiding disasters through foresight and readiness directly translates to lives protected, properties spared, and livelihoods preserved.
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Adeseye advised the public to steer clear of overloading electrical circuits, ensure portable fire extinguishers are serviced and accessible, and keep all exit corridors clear in residential and commercial premises. She also urged citizens to notify emergency services promptly during crises and to cooperate fully with personnel at incident scenes.
Reiterating the agency’s commitment to swift emergency response, safety education, and regulatory compliance, the Controller-General noted that safety is ultimately a shared civic duty, with prevention remaining the most potent defense against disaster.
