Lagos demolishes burnt houses

Following the fire incident caused by fireworks in Jankara area of Lagos Island yesterday, Nigeria’s Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has commenced the demolition of 10 houses that were severely affected by the fire.
When P.M.NEWS visited the scene at Ojo Giwa/ Okoya Street, Jankara Market, Lagos, this morning, officials of LASEMA were seen with their equipment pulling down the affected buildings.
Commenting on the demolition exercise, the General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Osanyintolu, said 12 houses were affected, with 10 badly damaged and and requiring demolition to prevent further danger in the environment. Also present at the scene were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Civil Defence Corps and policemen from Area ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police, led by the Commander, ACP Imohimi Edgal.
Residents who spoke to our correspondents commended the police, LASEMA and NEMA officials for their prompt intervention when the incident occurred yesterday. They also commended fire fighters from both the federal and state services.
The residents said that the police intervention prevented  ‘area boys’ and thieves from looting the shops that were not affected.
NEMA information officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, described what happened as unfortunate. He disclosed that when the agency received a distress call on the explosion yesterday, it quickly mobilised its men and other emergency officials to the scene.
“When we got there, there was, as usual, security challenges because of the crowd. We also had to attend to many people who suffered injuries while trying to escape from the fire,” he explained.
Farinloye said NEMA gave immediate medical attention to 40 people, who suffered minor injuries, adding that only one person died.