A fire outbreak at the Okokomaiko Police Station in Lagos State on Tuesday razed nine offices within the station, an oil tanker, and three bungalows.
The fire also destroyed one lock-up shop, four containerized shops, a generator house of an unidentified hotel along with its kitchen, and cables connected to a nearby transformer.
The incident caused widespread panic in the area.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, explained that the affected oil tanker was supplying diesel to a network mast in the area when it caught fire during discharge.
“Following distress calls received via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 1238hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and it’s Emergency Response Team from the Igando Base,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
“Upon arrival at the incident scene, a loaded diesel tanker (registration number unknown) was found to have caught fire at the afformentioned location.
“Further investigation revealed that the diesel tanker, laden with 10,000litres of Diesel was supplying a Network Mast at the aforesaid location when it caught fire while discharging it’s contents.
“However, the fire reportedly spread to adjoining buildings one of which is Okokomaiko Police Station due to negligence.”
Emergency responders worked swiftly to contain and extinguish the fire. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported in the incident.