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Lagos Records 62 Deaths from Fires and Building Collapses

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 22nd, 2025.

Lagos Records 62 Deaths from Fires and Building Collapses

At least 62 people have died in Lagos State between January and June 2025 as a result of fire outbreaks and building collapses, according to a newly released mid-year report from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS).

The report, made public on Monday and shared through a statement by the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maria Fadairo, provides a breakdown of emergency responses handled by the fire service in the first six months of the year.

The LSFRS said it responded to a total of 1,072 emergencies during the period. These included 922 fire incidents, two minor explosions, 10 cases of building collapse—eight of them partial—as well as 73 rescue operations and 65 salvage efforts.

While 252 individuals were successfully rescued from dangerous situations, the service reported that 62 lives were lost in various emergencies.

The statement also revealed a concerning rise in prank calls, with 315 false emergency alerts received within the six-month span—diverting critical resources from real incidents.

Despite the casualties and destruction, the agency stated it was able to prevent extensive damage. Properties worth roughly ₦64.32 billion were preserved, although damages from these incidents amounted to an estimated ₦10.72 billion.

Director of the LSFRS, Margaret Adeseye, highlighted the importance of the agency’s efforts in protecting life and property, stressing their contribution to reducing economic and environmental losses in Lagos.

“These statistics reflect the fire service’s ongoing commitment to public safety, asset protection, and reducing disaster-related losses across the state,” Adeseye said.

She also mentioned the agency’s proactive engagement with stakeholders aimed at addressing the growing frequency of fires and structural collapses. These discussions will continue at the upcoming 2025 International Fire Safety Conference 2.0, where safety strategies and response improvements will be on the agenda.

In a related development, experts in the construction industry have continued to raise concerns over the root causes of building failures. Gbola Aremu, the manager of Titan Clan Limited, a real estate firm, previously told Sunday PUNCH that the surge in collapses stems from poor technical standards and unethical practices in construction.

“Many developers lack the required knowledge and experience. People jump into the real estate business without understanding the science behind building,” Aremu noted.

He further explained that greed often leads to corner-cutting, such as skipping soil testing, ignoring terrain conditions, and neglecting drainage systems—all of which are essential in determining a structure’s stability.

“These oversights compromise the strength of the foundation, putting both buildings and lives at risk,” he warned.