The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has blamed electrical surge for two separate fire incidents that occurred in different parts of Lagos State, raising fresh concerns about electrical safety in residential and commercial buildings across the state.
The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, confirmed the incidents in a statement released on Monday night, explaining that preliminary investigations revealed that both fires were caused by electrical surge.
According to him, the first incident occurred at FESTAC Town Phase 2, where a single-storey building was engulfed in flames after a conduit wire reportedly sparked on the ground floor, igniting nearby combustible materials and causing the fire to spread rapidly through parts of the building.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency arrived at the scene shortly after receiving distress calls and worked to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. Residents in the area were said to have been evacuated as a precautionary measure while firefighters battled the blaze.
Olawale explained that the second fire incident, which occurred in another part of Lagos State, was also traced to electrical surge, a situation he said is becoming increasingly common due to unstable power supply and improper electrical connections in some buildings.
He warned residents and business owners to take electrical safety seriously, advising them to ensure proper wiring, avoid overloading electrical sockets, and install protective devices such as circuit breakers and surge protectors to prevent similar incidents.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency noted that although no lives were lost in the incidents, properties were damaged, and families affected by the fires have begun assessing their losses.
Residents of FESTAC Town Phase 2 who witnessed the incident described how the fire started suddenly and spread quickly before emergency responders arrived. Some residents said they noticed sparks before the fire broke out, while others reported smelling smoke before flames became visible.
Safety officials say electrical surge occurs when there is a sudden increase in voltage, which can damage electrical appliances and cause wiring to overheat, sometimes leading to fire outbreaks. They stressed that many fire incidents in urban areas are linked to electrical faults, especially in older buildings with outdated wiring systems.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said it will continue to carry out public awareness campaigns to educate residents on fire prevention and emergency response procedures. The agency also advised residents to always report emergencies quickly to enable a faster response and reduce damage.
As Lagos State continues to grow and develop, safety experts say there is an urgent need for stricter enforcement of building and electrical safety regulations to prevent avoidable disasters.
The recent incidents serve as another reminder of the dangers associated with electrical surge and the importance of proper electrical maintenance in homes, offices, and markets across the state. Authorities say preventing electrical fires requires cooperation between residents, property owners, electricians, and regulatory agencies.
For many residents affected by the FESTAC fire, the incident has become a painful lesson on how quickly electrical faults can lead to devastating losses, even when they occur without warning. Authorities are now urging Lagosians to take preventive measures seriously to avoid future tragedies.
