A tragic fire outbreak at a residential building in the bustling Oyingbo district of Lagos Mainland has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman, authorities confirmed Friday.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received distress calls through its emergency toll-free 767/112 hotlines at approximately 11:43 a.m., reporting smoke and flames at No. 8 Bola Street, off Kadara Street.
LASEMA’s Response Team, supported by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other first responders, arrived at the scene around 12:13 p.m. to find a residential bungalow with two attached shops already engulfed in fire.
“The fire reportedly started in one of the rooms before quickly spreading to other sections of the building,” said Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA.
Despite the swift response and coordinated firefighting efforts, the elderly resident whose name has not been released was found dead during rescue operations. Her remains have since been handed over to her family.
Extent of Damage and Emergency Response
Preliminary assessments showed that the inferno affected several structures within the property, including:
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Eight room-and-parlour units
One self-contained mini-flat
Six shops
Household items and personal property destroyed
Firefighters and emergency crews worked for hours to extinguish the flames fully, carry out rescue and recovery efforts, and prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
In addition to LASEMA and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, responding agencies included the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and officials from the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.
As of the latest updates, the exact cause of the fire has not been determined. Authorities say further investigation is ongoing, and residents are urged to remain vigilant about fire safety, especially in mixed-use and older buildings.
