CITIZENS COMPASS – THERE was a fire outbreak in Lagos, which gutted a section of Mega Plastics Company, located in the Ilupeju area of Lagos. 

Eyewitnesses’ accounts said the fire was first noticed in the early hours of Saturday, September 23, 2023. 

It was said to have erupted from one of the offices and thereafter spread rapidly destroying a section of the mega industry. 

The incident was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu and Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye. 

In his Situation Report at the scene of the incident, Osanyintolu said no life was destroyed. 

According to his updates, “Upon arrival of the Agency’s LRT at the scene, a company which manufactures plastics is gutted with fire. 

” Further investigation revealed that the fire started from the company’s Engineer’s office. The engineer was not around when the inferno started before escalating to the factory and the warehouse. 

” However, no loss of life or injury sustained at the scene. 

” The Agency’s LRT alongside LRU fire, UBA , Julius Berger Lagos State Fire, LNSC and NPF are the responders presently. “

In her updates about the fire incident, Adeseye said the time of call was about 07:26hrs. 

She gave the location of the incident as Mega Plastic Industry Limited. 4, Ilupeju by-pass, Ilupeju, Lagos. 

” The intensity of the Fire is as a result of the volatility of the contents which are petrochemicals. The Fire started from the office of the company’s Engineer. 

” On arrival of the first Fire crew,  the fire had spread to the adjoining warehouse and containerized storage facilities. 

” In attendance were Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, LASEMA, Julius Berger, the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Red Cross,  etc” 

She said property involved were “Raw materials and finished products stored in 6 by 20ft and 2 by 40ft containers  as well as 300 by 100 ft warehouse. However,  the factory containing machine tools and adjoining properties were saved. 

Cause of the incident 

” The cause cannot be determined prematurely until investigation is conducted. The Fire had been put out since 17:12hrs.  Meanwhile,  the dampening  down leading to the mopping up exercise had commenced which would give way for *Fire Cause Investigation*

The mopping up cannot be completed until all the fire rubbles have been evacuated to allow for the rehabilitation of the damaged areas. 

“There was no casualty.” She added. 

LASTMA speaks

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) , Adebayo Taofiq, said  LASTMA officials arrived at the scene of the fire incident at about 6:30 a.m., after which they contacted other emergency responders to assist in putting out the fire.

Adebayo in a statement on made available to Citizens Compass, said, “Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders at early morning today (Saturday, 23rd of September, 2023) combated an industrial fire outbreak at Mega Plastics Company located at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass beside Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ilupeju area of Lagos.

“Traffic Officer Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21 confirmed that Lastma rescue team arrived at the scene of the industrial fire outbreak around 6:30am before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

” According to Traffic Officer Olaosebikan “immediately we arrived at the scene of the industrial fire, we quickly informed other emergency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police”  

“While the causes of industrial fire could not be immediately ascertained, Lastma Olaosebikan disclosed that priliminary investigation revealed that the storage and factory section of the petrochemical company were seriously affected by the fire outbreak.

” Other Emergency responders on ground includes Federal / State Fire Services, Police men and Lasema Response Unit.

” No injury or death have been recorded as at now.”