At least 62 lives were lost to fire outbreaks and building collapses across Lagos State within the first six months of 2025, according to data released by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The grim statistics were contained in the agency’s mid-year activity report, made public on Monday, which covers emergency incidents recorded between January and June this year.
In a statement issued by the Fire Service’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maria Fadairo, the report detailed the agency’s operations during the first half of 2025, shedding light on both its emergency interventions and challenges.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has released its Mid-Year Activity Report covering January to June 2025, outlining key operational achievements and response figures,” the statement noted.
During the reporting period, the agency responded to 1,072 emergencies, which included 922 fire outbreaks, two minor explosions, and 10 building collapse incidents—eight of which were classified as partial.
The report also recorded 73 rescue operations and 65 salvage missions.
However, a growing concern for the agency has been the prevalence of hoax calls. It revealed that 315 false emergency alerts were received within the six-month period.
Despite these challenges, the agency successfully rescued 252 individuals from life-threatening situations, including fires and structural failures.
Sadly, 62 fatalities were recorded during the same period.
In terms of property damage, the fire service said it was able to prevent major losses, saving assets estimated at ₦64.32 billion, though property worth approximately ₦10.72 billion was still lost to various incidents.
Reacting to the findings, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the figures reflect the agency’s impact on safeguarding lives and property in the state.
“Our efforts are critical in contributing to the state’s economic stability by reducing damages and preserving life, property, and the environment,” she stated.
She added that the agency is intensifying collaboration with stakeholders to address the rising number of fire incidents and building collapses, with further discussions expected during the upcoming Y2025 International Fire Safety Conference 2.0.
Meanwhile, experts have continued to raise concerns over the recurring issue of building collapses in Lagos.
In a previous interview with PUNCH, Gbola Aremu, manager of real estate firm Titan Clan Limited, blamed the trend on poor construction practices and greed.
“The root causes of most building collapses are lack of expertise and failure to adhere to technical standards,” Aremu said. “Many developers skip crucial steps like soil testing and proper foundation planning because they are focused on quick profits rather than long-term safety.”
He warned that without urgent reforms and stricter enforcement of building regulations, the problem could worsen.