‘Petrol hoarding’ sparks inferno at Ebute Metta

The fire outbreak on Coates Street, Oko Baba, Ebute Metta area of Lagos state on Tuesday, was aided by the hoarding of petroleum products by residents, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said.

The residents, though, said the fire was caused by a long-running power outage in the area, which, coupled with the scarcity of petrol, forced residents to store petrol while relying on power generating sets

The agency also added that “no injuries, no casualties” were recorded at the inferno currently ravaging the riverine community.

Michael Akindele, general manager LASEMA, who spoke with TheCable at the site of the fire incident, said the agency was still evaluating losses recorded in the outbreak – aided by hoarded petroleum.

“In the cause of our investigation, it was revealed that the fire started from one of the plank houses, and there are a lot of petrol kegs being stored here and there, leading to an inferno,” he said.

He added that the fire started at 4:50pm and had been contained as at 8pm even though not totally put out.

Akindele said so much had been lost in the inferno, but the extent of damage could not be ascertained until another 24 hours.

Alfred Eguavoen, the volunteer coordinator of Lagos state branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, had a different account to relate to TheCable.

Eguavoen, who was one of the first on site, said he had to call LASEMA and NEMA to join in the rescue due to the intensity of the “wild fire”.

“By the time I called them, they told me they were on their way already. One of the fire fighters was already here, so I ordered for more.

“One person has been rushed to Ebute Meta health centre, while we have treated two other people here. One of them collapsed due to the smoke, another fell from the top of a building, but has also been taken care of.

“As at now, we don’t know the cause of the fire, the houses are made of plank. Where the fire has covered so far is as big as a stadium.”

A civil servant, who lost his home to the fire, said also said no casualties were recorded, adding that he return from work in time to save his credentials.

He corroborated Akindele’s story by saying the community had not had power (electricity) in four days, which led many families to relying on petrol-powered generators for their source of electricity.

“The fire could have been put out by residents, but there was no water. We have not had light (power) in four days, and no water in about three days. When the fire fighters came, their own tank was also exhausted,” he said.

While commending LASEMA for their intervention, he urged government to compensate residents, who he said “lost their means of livelihood”.