[wysija_form id=”1″] March 11, 2015 – Not less than five people were injured and properties worth several millions destroyed at Abule-Egba, Lagos when fire engulfed Fine Coat Paint, a paint manufacturing company in the area.
Although the cause of the fire incident is unknown eye witness say that the fire might have erupted from the section where highly volatile chemicals are kept in the factory.
We gathered that the incident engendered heavy traffic in the area as commuters stopped by to catch a glimpse of the incident.
A highly placed government at the scene who wants to remain anonymous told our correspondent that the five people injured have been moved to Orile Agege Hospital. He said that those affected must have inhaled chemicals that mixed up with the thick fumes.
He said one of the five persons in in critical condition.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Rapid Respond Squad, RSS, workers and other rushed to the scene to assist in putting out the inferno.
Speaking on the incident, General Manager, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke Osanyintolu, who could not confirm the cause of the fire, said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that the lives of the victims are saved.
“We cannot tell you precisely the cause of the fire, our investigation is still ongoing but from the primary survey, we were informed that the fire was due to the chemical explosion. So far, all the emergency responders are on the ground. So far, we have takem five casualties to Orile-General Hospital. All the stakeholders that are relevant in managing emergency are stll combating it.”
He reiterated that the timely intervention of the emergency workers in the state prevented loss of lives and reduced the extent of damage.
“Our emergency respond team are effective and efficient that is why we were able to rescue the victim despite the extent of destruction caused by the fire . The victims sustained various degrees of injuries but one of them suffer severe burns. He inhaled a lot carbon monoxide. So far, nobody died and the operation is still ongoing, ” Osanyintolu said.
