Lagos Probes Mile 2 Inferno, Raises Concerns Over Chemical Storage Hazards
Lagos Probes Mile 2 Inferno, Raises Concerns Over Chemical Storage Hazards
The Lagos State Government has launched an investigation into a major fire that gutted a warehouse at Mile 2 in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
The probe follows concerns regarding the nature and volume of chemical substances stored at the facility, which is located within a busy industrial layout.
Government sources indicate that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is taking a personal interest in the matter due to the potential health and environmental risks posed to residents.
Authorities are currently working to identify the warehouse owners and determine if appropriate safety measures were in place before the disaster occurred.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening, was fueled by hundreds of 200-litre drums containing highly flammable chemical materials.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported that the intensity of the blaze was exacerbated by the volatile nature of the stored substances.
Emergency responders from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota, and Alausa fire stations were mobilized to the scene to prevent the inferno from spreading to adjoining facilities.
Despite the challenging conditions and intermittent explosions, the crews managed to bring the situation under control by the following morning.
Margaret Adeseye, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that the agency responded swiftly after receiving a distress call. She noted that the coordinated intervention was crucial in protecting nearby industrial buildings from being consumed by the flames.
According to the official report from the state, a primary focus of the inquiry is the legality and safety of the storage practices.
A government source stated “The probe is being initiated over safety concerns about the type and volume of chemicals kept in the warehouse.”
While no casualties were recorded during the incident, the fire caused significant property damage and disrupted commercial activities in the Mile 2 axis.
The state government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing safety regulations to prevent similar occurrences in industrial zones.
