Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has urged residents, businesses and institutions to strengthen fire-prevention measures after recording 1,324 emergency incidents between January and September 2026, including 1,135 fire calls.
The warning, issued as the dry season sets in, followed the release of the agency’s Third Quarter Activity Report covering the nine-month period. The report highlighted the scale of emergency operations across Lagos State, including fire outbreaks, rescue missions, building collapses and a gas-related explosion.
According to figures released by the service, emergency responders rescued 210 people alive, while 65 suspected fatalities were recovered during operations. The agency also reported substantial property losses and warned that false emergency calls could delay responses to genuine incidents.
The figures underline the continuing challenge of protecting lives and property in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where residential buildings, markets, businesses and industrial facilities face different fire-safety risks.
Fire Outbreaks Account for Most Emergency Calls
Fire-related emergencies represented the largest category of incidents handled by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service during the period.
The report recorded 1,135 fire calls, alongside 79 rescue calls, 100 salvage operations, nine incidents involving collapsed buildings and one gas-related explosion.
The figures show that fire emergencies accounted for the overwhelming majority of the incidents handled by the service.
Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, said the statistics highlighted the importance of sustained public awareness, prompt reporting of emergencies and compliance with fire-safety regulations.
She urged residents and organisations to take practical steps to prevent avoidable incidents rather than rely exclusively on emergency responders after an outbreak has occurred.
The service said it would continue to pursue emergency response, public education and the enforcement of fire-safety standards across the state.
N79.44 Billion in Property Saved, Losses Estimated at N13.24 Billion
The report estimated that property worth ₦79.44 billion was saved during emergency operations between January and September.
However, property losses during the same period were estimated at ₦13.24 billion, bringing the total estimated value of property affected to ₦92.68 billion.
The figures illustrate the potential economic consequences of fires and other emergencies for households, businesses and public institutions.
For affected families, a fire can destroy homes, personal belongings and essential documents. For traders and business owners, damage to shops, warehouses, equipment and inventory can interrupt operations and threaten livelihoods.
Industrial incidents can also affect workers, nearby communities and supply chains, depending on the location and materials involved.
Although the service provided estimates of property saved and lost, the reported figures do not establish the individual causes of every incident or identify the full distribution of losses among households, businesses and other property owners.
The figures should therefore be understood as the agency’s estimates for the reporting period rather than a complete assessment of the long-term economic consequences of each emergency.
January and March Record Highest Incident Numbers
A monthly breakdown showed that January recorded the highest number of emergency incidents, with 203 cases. March followed with 201 incidents, while September recorded the lowest number, at 94.
Fire calls followed a similar pattern. March recorded the highest number, with 176, followed by January with 173. September recorded the lowest number of fire calls, at 80.
The figures provide a snapshot of how emergency workloads varied during the nine-month period.
However, the reported monthly totals alone do not establish why incidents increased in particular months. Determining the causes would require further information about individual emergencies, their locations, ignition sources and prevailing conditions.
The service’s warning about the approaching dry season nevertheless places renewed emphasis on household precautions, safe handling of combustible materials and preparedness in workplaces and public buildings.
Fire Service Raises Concern Over 341 False Calls
The report also recorded 341 false emergency calls during the nine-month period.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service warned that false calls could delay firefighters responding to genuine emergencies, potentially placing lives and property at risk.
Emergency services depend on accurate information from callers to determine the nature and location of incidents and deploy appropriate personnel and equipment.
A false report can divert attention and resources from people who genuinely need assistance. It can also complicate the coordination of emergency operations when several incidents require attention.
The service urged residents to use emergency reporting channels responsibly and provide accurate information when requesting assistance.
The warning reinforces the importance of treating emergency numbers as essential public-safety resources rather than tools for pranks or deliberate misinformation.
Lagos Residents Urged to Adopt Basic Fire-Safety Measures
As part of its public warning, the service outlined practical precautions for households, businesses and institutions.
Residents were advised to avoid indiscriminate burning and ensure that flammable materials were properly handled and stored.
The service also recommended switching off and unplugging electrical appliances when they are not in use, where appropriate, and avoiding the overloading of electrical sockets.
Faulty wiring, damaged electrical equipment and unsafe connections should be addressed promptly by qualified professionals. Residents should also avoid using electrical appliances or installations that show signs of damage.
Households and businesses were encouraged to maintain functional fire extinguishers and ensure that occupants know how to access exits safely during an emergency.
Escape routes, stairways and access points should remain unobstructed so that occupants can leave buildings and firefighters can reach affected areas without unnecessary delays.
Businesses that store fuel, chemicals or other flammable materials should pay particular attention to safe storage, handling procedures and emergency preparedness.
The service further urged residents to report incidents promptly and cooperate with firefighters and other emergency responders at the scene.
Why the Warning Matters for Lagos
Lagos is a densely populated commercial centre with residential neighbourhoods, markets, warehouses, factories and office buildings operating across the state.
An emergency in one location can affect not only people inside the building but also neighbouring properties, nearby businesses and road users. The consequences can become more serious when access routes are blocked, hazardous materials are stored improperly or occupants lack a clear evacuation plan.
The latest figures also demonstrate that the work of the fire service extends beyond extinguishing fires. Its reported activities included rescue operations, salvage missions, responses to building collapses and assistance during a gas-related explosion.
Preventive measures can reduce exposure to avoidable risks, while early reporting can help responders reach incidents before they become more difficult to control.
For businesses, fire-safety preparedness is also an important part of protecting employees, equipment, stock and the continuity of operations.
For households, working smoke alarms where appropriate, safe electrical practices, clear exits and a simple family evacuation plan can improve preparedness. Fire extinguishers should be suitable for the potential hazards and used only when it is safe to do so; people should evacuate and call emergency services rather than attempt to fight a spreading fire.
What Happens Next?
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has called for sustained public enlightenment, compliance with fire-safety standards and cooperation between residents and emergency personnel.
The published figures cover January to September 2026. They do not, by themselves, establish how many incidents will occur during the remaining months of the year.
Continued public education, responsible emergency reporting and attention to electrical, cooking and storage hazards will remain important as residents prepare for the dry season.
The report also provides a basis for further public scrutiny of emergency preparedness, including the distribution of response resources, fire-prevention activities and the enforcement of safety requirements in residential and commercial buildings.
For residents, the immediate message is practical: prevent hazards where possible, keep exits accessible, maintain appropriate safety equipment and report genuine emergencies without delay.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has reiterated that fire safety is a shared responsibility, with prevention remaining a critical part of reducing the loss of life and property.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- TheCable — “Lagos records 1,324 fire incidents, 65 deaths in nine months” (October 8, 2026).
- Premium Times — “Lagos records 1,324 fire, building-collapse, other emergency incidents in nine months” (October 8, 2026).
- The Guardian Nigeria — “Dry season: Lagos records 1,324 emergencies, urges residents to stay alert” (October 8, 2026).
- Punch — “65 die in 1,324 Lagos fire, rescue emergencies” (October 9, 2026).
