Five-year-old killed as building partially collapses in Lagos

One person was confirmed dead on Thursday, after the beam of a building collapsed in Lagos Island.

The beam — a pillar that provides support for buildings — was said to have collapsed on a five-year-old, while other occupants of the house, situated at 19, Church Street, Lagos Island, were evacuated.

According to Nosa Okunbor, head of public affairs, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), rescue officials responded to distress calls reporting the collapse incident on Thursday.

“Swift response to distress calls by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, reporting a building collapse at 19, Church Street on Lagos Island today, saved the lives of all residents there except one,” a statement by Okunbor reads.

“The single, yet-to-be identified fatality was lost due to a room beam that partially collapsed on a five-year-old boy when the incident occurred.

“The distress call which was transmitted at 10:55hrs today 8th July, 2021 through the Toll Free 767/112 Emergency numbers activated the Lagos State Emergency Response Plans that saved the lives of other residents and properties surrounding the affected building earlier today.”

Speaking on the incident, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, director-general of LASEMA, said when officials arrived at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that “a room beam partially collapsed on a five-year-old boy”.

“Further investigation revealed that the building had been slated for non-integrity test because of visible cracks on the beam and columns of the building. All the tenants had been asked to evacuate the building and also the building has been cordoned off for safety of residents,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

“Unfortunately, an adolescent lost his life to the incident scene.”

Also, officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) and the Lagos State Safety Commission were at the site “to conduct proper assessment of the affected building and sensitisation”.