Fire guts Lagos warehouse, destroys goods
GOODS estimated at several millions of naira were destroyed by a fire which gutted a warehouse at Mandilas Building, Broad Street, Lagos Island, yesterday
The Guardian learnt that the blaze started at the first floor and spread to the 14th storey floor before officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service ( LSFRS) arrived at the scene.
The affected floors had been used to store textile and clothing materials.
There was no casualty recorded.
Head, Public Education, LSFRS, Amodu Shakiru, who spoke on behalf of the Director, Margaret Adeseye, said: “The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. We contained the fire to the fourth floor but we always have difficulties on the island because of accessibility.
“There are so many combustive materials we are contending with. Some goods are stocked in such a manner that we cannot even find a way to get to the area. It’s challenging creating a path in the area."
Asked why the government was yet to clear the road to create access, he said: “It’s a built- up environment, and getting people out of the way is difficult. Any move by the government could lead to accusations that the government is trying to drive out a particular set of people. But we are trying to work through the Community Development Areas ( CDAS). We started, last year, with our campaign on market fire.
“There are also generators stocked all over the place. We are working with the people because the government is for the people. This building is over three decades old; so, we can’t pull it down overnight. Again, when we are pulling down some sections of the extensions and attachments, others are springing up. but we are working hard to forestall this.”