Tragedy struck on Bola Street, Oyingbo, Lagos State, after a fire razed a residential bungalow with attached shops, resulting in the death of a centenarian woman and the destruction of several properties.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu. According to the agency, a distress call was received at about noon, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Upon arrival at the scene at approximately 12:13 pm, responders discovered that a bungalow comprising multiple residential rooms and two shops had already been engulfed in flames. Emergency protocols were activated swiftly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
Despite the rapid response, the agency confirmed that a 103-year-old woman, whose identity was withheld, was recovered dead from the building after firefighters gained access to the affected rooms.
Preliminary findings revealed that the fire reportedly started from one of the rooms before spreading rapidly across the structure. However, officials stated that the exact cause of the inferno remains undetermined and is currently under investigation.
LASEMA disclosed that the incident affected eight rooms, a mini-flat, six shops, and several household items, leaving occupants with significant losses.
“The recovered body has been formally handed over to the family for necessary arrangements,” Oke-Osanyintolu said, adding that the fire had been fully extinguished.
He further explained that personnel from the LASEMA Response Team, LASEMA Fire Unit, and other emergency responders collaborated effectively to contain the fire, conclude dampening-down operations, and ensure the area was safe.
Residents of the area described the incident as shocking, noting that the fire spread rapidly before help arrived. The tragedy has once again raised concerns about fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and building safety standards in Lagos’ older residential districts.
Authorities have urged residents to observe fire safety precautions while investigations into the cause of the incident continue.
