“Millions of Naira Worth of Goods Lost as Fire Engulfs Lagos Port”

In a devastating incident at the Tin-Can Island of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Terminal ‘C’ managed by Port and Cargo Limited was ravaged by a fierce fire outbreak, resulting in the destruction of goods valued at millions of naira. The calamity struck near midnight on Thursday, July 20, 2023, leaving emergency responders scrambling to the scene to contain the inferno.

As of the time of this report, the cause of the fire remains shrouded in mystery, and the management of Port and Cargo is yet to issue an official statement regarding the tragic incident.

The catastrophe at the Lagos port adds to the distressing statistics of fire incidents in the region. According to the mid-year activity report released by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, a staggering 1,642 fire-related emergencies were recorded between January and June 2023. Shockingly, these incidents led to the loss of 42 lives and resulted in the destruction of properties valued at a staggering N14.62 billion.

The report further highlighted that out of the 1,642 emergencies attended to, a significant 924 cases were related to fire disasters, making it the most prevalent type of emergency across various parts of the state. Additionally, the Fire and Rescue Service responded to 92 emergencies on rescue missions, 41 cases of salvaging operations, three instances of explosion, and two building collapses. Alarmingly, the agency also received 400 false calls during this period, underscoring the need for enhanced verification procedures when responding to distress calls.

Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, attributed the rising incidents of fire disasters to carelessness and negligence on the part of individuals. The change of strategy in attending to distress calls was also identified as a contributing factor to the increase in false alarms, demanding greater vigilance in evaluating emergency calls.

As investigations continue to uncover the cause of the fire outbreak at the Lagos port, authorities and stakeholders must work together to address the underlying issues that contribute to such devastating incidents. The safety and security of people’s lives and valuable properties must remain a top priority, requiring constant vigilance and stringent safety measures.