A devastating fire outbreak in the Oyingbo area of Lagos has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman and left several families counting their losses after homes and shops were destroyed.
The incident occurred at a residential building located on Bola Street, where the fire reportedly broke out in the early hours and quickly spread through the structure.
According to a preliminary situation report released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the blaze started in one of the rooms within the building before rapidly engulfing eight other rooms.
The inferno also spread to six nearby shops, consuming goods and property estimated to be worth millions of naira, eyewitnesses said.
Sadly, an elderly woman aged 103 was trapped during the incident and lost her life before rescue efforts could reach her.
LASEMA disclosed that the exact cause of the fire has not yet been established, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine what triggered the outbreak.
Emergency response teams were swiftly mobilised to the scene, including the LASEMA Response Unit from Onipanu, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant stakeholders.
The combined efforts of the responders helped to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further to adjoining buildings in the densely populated neighbourhood.
Residents have since called on authorities to strengthen fire safety awareness and emergency preparedness, especially in older residential areas, to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents.
