The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has stated fireplace prevention and emergency response should be handled as a important a part of governance due to the devastating affect fireplace incidents have on lives, property and companies.
Rhodes-Vivour spoke as one of many panellists on the premiere of CBI News’ documentary, “Burning Point: Inside Lagos Fire” and a stakeholder dialogue, held in Lagos.
Discussing the theme “Beyond the Flames: Rethinking Disaster Preparedness, Response and Accountability in Nigeria,” he stated fireplace might destroy worth and scale back investments to zero, particularly in a state the place insurance coverage protection just isn’t widespread and victims typically battle to get justice or compensation.
He stated the first function of presidency was the safety of life and property, including that authorities will need to have clear programs, situation plans and a correct understanding of how you can handle fireplace dangers, significantly in markets.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service 2025 Activity Report, Lagos recorded 1,685 fireplace incidents in 2025. The report additionally indicated 133 deaths and estimated property losses of N19.72 billion.
Rhodes-Vivour: “Fire can take away everything. Government must have a system, scenario plans, and a clear understanding of how to address the problem, particularly in markets,” he stated.
He famous that Lagos is a centre of enterprise, with markets unfold throughout the state and serving as a serious driver of its economic system. He stated securing the lives and property of merchants and market customers ought to subsequently be a precedence for the federal government.
According to him, most of the challenges in fireplace prevention and response come up from poor situation planning, insufficient funding within the fireplace service, and a failure to maintain tempo with fashionable expertise.
He cited the latest fireplace incident in a high-rise constructing on Lagos Island, saying footage confirmed a fireplace truck on the base of the constructing pushing water to the higher flooring, whereas firefighters went inside to fight the blaze.
He argued that fashionable firefighting expertise now gives higher choices, together with the usage of drones to ship fire-suppressing gadgets into affected rooms. According to him, such expertise can extinguish fires quicker, scale back dangers to firefighters, and never rely solely on entry routes for fireplace vehicles.
Rhodes-Vivour stated the expertise had turn into frequent in nations corresponding to China and in elements of Europe. He stated the continued dialogue round creating entry routes for fireplace vehicles in markets and addressing water shortages confirmed the necessity for Nigeria to adapt to fashionable options.
“We should not still be talking about fire trucks pushing water up 15-story buildings when drones can now be used,” he stated.
He acknowledged that fireplace vehicles would stay helpful for low-rise buildings, corresponding to bungalows and two-story constructions, however stated the federal government should embrace expertise and put money into it severely.
He added that fireplace response shouldn’t be about making headlines over the acquisition of recent vehicles whereas residents anticipate hours throughout emergencies. According to him, expertise may also help present faster responses, safer operations, and higher safety for lives and property.
Also talking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, stated Lagos, as a rising middle of commerce, business, transportation, and residential improvement, faces vital public security challenges.
Adeseye, who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, stated the duty of the federal government goes past responding to emergencies.
She stated it additionally contains anticipating dangers, decreasing vulnerability, and defending lives, livelihoods, and investments throughout the state.
She defined that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has a basic mandate to avoid wasting lives and property via firefighting, fireplace prevention, rescue operations, and humanitarian providers.
“The best fire incident is the one prevented,” she stated.
She stated the Lagos State Government had remodeled the fireplace service from a division right into a full-fledged company to fulfill the state’s rising emergency-response wants.
According to her, the variety of fireplace stations elevated from 14 in 2019 to 29, extending the service’s operational attain. She added that the institution of fireplace zone headquarters had strengthened coordination and repair supply throughout operational areas.
She additionally disclosed that the federal government had procured 62 new autos throughout completely different operational classes, together with fireplace vehicles, water tankers, speedy intervention autos, cell upkeep autos, and hydraulic platforms.
She stated the property assist firefighting, water provide, personnel mobilization, upkeep, and specialised operations.
However, Adeseye cautioned that tools alone was not sufficient. She stated efficient emergency response requires educated personnel, sound procedures, clear command constructions, teamwork, and the security of each responders and the general public.
In his welcome handle, the founder and govt vice-chairman of Baywood Group, Mr. Chris Baywood Ibe, stated fireplace was one catastrophe that nobody might fully want away as a result of it might happen at any time.
He stated preparedness should subsequently stay a continuing precedence for people, companies, and establishments.
“At CBI Media, we take this issue seriously because fire incidents can have devastating consequences when people and institutions are not prepared,” he stated.
Ibe shared his private expertise of a fireplace incident at his residence. He stated he returned residence at about 2 or 3 a.m. and seen smoke billowing from the constructing.
He stated his coaching within the oil and gasoline sector taught him to not panic throughout emergencies. Instead of appearing unexpectedly, he stated he assessed the scenario to find out the supply of the fireplace.
He found that the fireplace began from a water heater in his room after the water dried up and the equipment started to burn. He stated he was in a position to put out the fireplace utilizing a fireplace extinguisher put in in the home.
“The lesson from that experience is simple: when there is a fire, do not panic or scream. Panic can make a person lose focus and take the wrong action. It is important to remain calm, assess the situation, and respond appropriately,” he stated.
Ibe urged property homeowners to do greater than merely personal fireplace extinguishers. He stated the tools should be recurrently checked to substantiate that it’s legitimate and purposeful.
He additionally suggested property homeowners to work with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and different certified corporations to validate their fireplace security programs in order that they aren’t caught unprepared throughout emergencies.
He stated CBI Media produced the documentary to transcend storytelling and examine why fireplace incidents happen, how they occur, what will be carried out to forestall them, and the steps that must be taken afterwards.
“That is why we commissioned this in-depth investigation into fire incidents in Lagos and across Nigeria,” he stated.
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