Between January and September 2026, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service managed 1,135 fire outbreaks, forming the majority of the 1,324 emergency responses attended to across the state throughout the timeframe.
The figures were contained in the Service’s Third Quarter Activity Report released on Thursday, as it urged residents to intensify fire-safety measures ahead of the dry season.
This was contained in a statement by the Senior Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Fadairo Maria, on Thursday, October 8.
According to the report, the 1,324 incidents comprised 1,135 fire calls, 79 rescue calls, 100 salvage operations, nine collapsed-building incidents and one gas-related explosion.
The Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, said the statistics underscored the need for sustained fire-safety awareness, prompt reporting of emergencies and compliance with safety regulations.
She urged residents, businesses and institutions to take proactive measures to prevent fire outbreaks, particularly during the dry season when the risk of fire can increase.
Adeseye advised residents to avoid indiscriminate burning, properly handle and store flammable materials, switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use and avoid overloading electrical sockets.
She also urged residents to maintain functional fire extinguishers and ensure that escape routes and access points are not obstructed.
During the nine-month period, the Service rescued 210 victims alive, while 65 suspected fatalities were recovered during emergency operations. The report also showed that 341 false emergency calls were recorded within the period.
The Service warned that such calls could delay firefighters from responding to genuine emergencies, potentially putting lives, property and the environment at risk.
On property protection, the Service estimated that property worth ₦79.44 billion was saved, while losses were put at ₦13.24 billion, bringing the total estimated value of property affected to ₦92.68 billion.
A monthly breakdown showed that January recorded the highest number of incidents with 203, followed by March with 201, while September recorded the lowest with 94 incidents.
March also recorded the highest number of fire calls at 176, followed by January with 173, while September recorded the lowest with 80.
Adeseye further encouraged residents to report fire incidents promptly and cooperate with emergency responders at incident scenes.
She reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting lives and property through prompt emergency response, fire prevention, public enlightenment, enforcement of fire-safety standards and continuous engagement with communities.
“Prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the devastating impact of fire emergencies,” the Service said, urging Lagos residents to make fire safety a shared responsibility.
What You Should Know
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has released its activity report for the first nine months of the year, highlighting a high volume of fire emergencies across the metropolis. With the dry season approaching, authorities are strongly advising residents and business owners to take proactive safety precautions to prevent devastating fire outbreaks and protect lives and property.
- Positive Impact: Timely response from emergency services successfully saved properties valued at N79.44 billion, and 210 victims were rescued alive, showing the readiness of Lagos State safety personnel.
- Potential Concerns: A total of 341 false emergency calls severely threatened response times, while fire-related losses reached N13.24 billion, underscoring the severe financial and safety risks posed by negligence and poor electrical management.
