A total of 62 lives have been lost to fire outbreaks and building collapses in Lagos State within the first six months of 2025, according to the Mid-Year Activity Report released by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) on Monday.
The report, which covered January to June 2025, provides a sobering snapshot of emergency incidents and the agency’s response efforts during the period. According to the statement signed by LSFRS Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maria Fadairo, the agency responded to 1,072 emergencies, including 922 fire outbreaks, 10 building collapses, two explosions, 73 rescue operations, and 65 salvage missions.
“During this period, the Service commendably rescued 252 individuals from perilous situations,” the report noted. “Regrettably, 62 fatalities were recorded across the various incidents.”
The data also highlighted the growing issue of false emergency calls, with 315 prank alerts received, diverting valuable time and resources from genuine emergencies.
Despite the loss of life, the fire service said it was able to save property worth over ₦64.32 billion, even as losses totaling ₦10.72 billion were also recorded.
Director of the LSFRS, Margaret Adeseye, praised the agency’s role in limiting casualties and property damage, emphasizing that their operations contributed to protecting lives and economic assets in the state.
“These figures reflect our effectiveness in preserving the environment, assets, and human lives, even as we continue to face rising emergency demands,” Adeseye said.
She further disclosed that the agency is working closely with stakeholders to curb the frequency of fire disasters and building collapses. A more comprehensive response plan is expected to be unveiled at the upcoming 2025 International Fire Safety Conference 2.0.
The report adds urgency to growing concerns over construction safety in Lagos. In a prior interview with Sunday PUNCH, real estate manager Gbola Aremu blamed the surge in building failures on greed and lack of technical expertise in the industry.
“Many developers bypass essential processes like soil tests, drainage studies, and proper engineering standards,” Aremu stated. “The boom in real estate has encouraged shortcuts that are now costing lives.”
As Lagos continues to grow, experts and emergency responders agree that tougher regulations, skilled oversight, and improved safety standards are needed to reverse the deadly trend.
