At least 65 people were feared dead in fire outbreaks and other emergency incidents across Lagos State between January and September 2026, while property valued at N13.24 billion was destroyed, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has disclosed.
The agency said it responded to 1,324 emergency incidents during the nine-month period, highlighting the human and economic toll of emergencies across Nigeria’s commercial hub.
According to the Service, the incidents comprised 1,135 fire outbreaks, 79 rescue operations, 100 salvage operations, nine collapsed-building incidents and one gas-related explosion.
Despite the scale of the emergencies, firefighters and rescue teams saved 210 victims, while 65 suspected fatalities were recovered during operations.
A breakdown of the monthly figures showed that January recorded the highest number of incidents, with 203 cases, closely followed by March with 201. September had the lowest number, with 94 incidents.
The Service further disclosed that property worth N79.44 billion was saved from destruction during the period, while the total value of property affected by the incidents stood at N92.68 billion.
The figures underscore the enormous financial stakes involved in emergency response and the importance of strengthening fire prevention measures across homes, workplaces and public facilities.
Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, urged residents to adopt safer practices to prevent fire outbreaks and minimise losses.
She advised residents to handle flammable materials carefully, avoid overloading electrical sockets and switch off or unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Adeseye also raised concerns over the 341 false emergency calls recorded during the period, warning that the practice could divert emergency responders from genuine incidents and put lives at risk.
“False emergency calls can delay the response of firefighters to genuine emergencies and potentially put lives, property and the environment at risk,” she said.
The controller-general called on residents to report emergencies promptly, ensure that fire extinguishers were functional and keep escape routes and access points clear to facilitate swift evacuation and emergency response.
She stressed that greater public awareness and compliance with fire safety precautions were essential to reducing casualties and property losses.
Adeseye added that “prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the devastating impact of fire emergencies.”
