The Lagos State Government has reiterated its determination to demolish buildings that fail integrity tests in order to avert disasters.
Following a visit to the site of the devastating fire at Dosunmu market on Thursday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures, indicating that additional buildings would be demolished.
He expressed concern over the conversion of numerous residential apartments into warehouses, which poses significant risks to individuals, property, and businesses.
“A lot of residential apartments have been converted into warehouses. I am stating unequivocally that more buildings will be demolished,” Governor Sanwo-Olu remarked.
He also highlighted challenges faced by first responders during the recent fire incident, citing delays in access and ongoing fire hazards.
“We faced unfortunate and preventable disaster. First responders were initially denied access for several hours. The fire, which began over 48 hours ago, is still burning. As of now, about 14 houses have been affected, and more may be demolished following extensive assessments,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Governor assured affected traders of government support to aid in their recovery from losses incurred.
The fire, reportedly triggered by a generator explosion around 11 am on Tuesday, April 9, engulfed a section of Dosunmu market. Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), confirmed that 14 buildings were impacted by the fire.
“The fire originated from the penthouse of a building where a man was negligently refueling a generator, leading to the fire’s spread to other buildings. The presence of multiple generators in the building worsened the situation,” Farinloye explained.
In response to the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu ordered the indefinite closure of the market to ensure safety and prevent future occurrences.
