Fire service laments rising rate of fire outbreak

The Lagos State Fire Service has
lamented the increasing rate of fire
outbreaks in the state, calling on
residents to be more vigilant.
The agency said it recorded 48
emergency calls within the first five
days of the New Year, describing it
as “outrageous.”
A statement on Wednesday by the
agency’s Public Relations Officer,
Amodu Shakiru, on behalf of the
Director of the Lagos State Fire
Service, Rasak Fadipe, indicated
that while 44 of the calls were on
fire outbreaks, the remaining four
were false alerts.
The statement read in part, “The
Lagos State Fire Service is worried
about mass destruction of property
occasioned by frequent fire
outbreaks in the state. The fire
incidents effectively responded to
in the past three weeks is regarded
as being outrageous especially the
first five days of this year. From
January 1 to 5, 2015, the number
recorded was 48.”
The statement urged members of
the public to always call on the
service during any emergency.
It said there was no small fire
incident, because every outbreak
that was not well handled could
lead to destruction of lives and
property.
“The state government places high
premium on the safety of lives and
property of citizens. The attitude of
the public to their own safety is
equally of great concern to the fire
service.
“The public should remember that
the harmattan season is never a
cause of an outbreak of fire, but a
major contributory factor to its
spread. Therefore, there is need for
people to be cautious in the way
they handle flammable products,
electronic appliances, naked lights
and bush burning,” it added.
It said residents should report any
emergency to the agency through
its toll free numbers, 767 and 112,
and the fire service direct line
08033235891.