Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement to the press in Lagos.
Oke-Osanyintolu reported that the agency responded swiftly after receiving a distress call via the state’s Toll-Free Emergency numbers, 767 and 112.
The fire service department quickly extinguished the blaze and ensured the safety of all occupants. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical surge from the air conditioner unit in one of the rooms in the main duplex.
He said, “The agency’s response team from the Command and Control Centre at Alausa arrived at the twin-duplex where the incident occurred at 08.02hrs.
“Upon arrival of the team, it was discovered that the fire started at approximately 7.05 a.m. and quickly spread from the main duplex consisting of about five rooms.
“The fire then escalated through the roof to the other wing of the duplex, which consisted of about three bedrooms and a living room.
“After thorough investigations, it was discovered that the cause of the fire was as a result of an electrical surge from the air conditioner unit in one of the rooms in the main duplex.
“The fire was extinguished by the joint efforts of the LASEMA’s Response Team and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which responded promptly to the emergency call.
“The duplex suffered significant damage, leaving the roofing and interiors seriously affected. The inferno was quickly curtailed from spreading to surrounding and adjacent buildings.
“The contents of the duplex, including furniture and personal belongings, were salvaged by the quick response of the response unit.
“The inferno has been successfully put out. However, while dampening down was on going, one of the fire fighters fell from the ceiling, but was quickly rescued and attended to by the Lagos State Ambulance Service officials at the incident scene.”
