At least 62 people have died and properties worth more than ₦10.7 billion have been destroyed in various fire outbreaks and building collapses recorded across Lagos State in the first half of 2025, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) has disclosed.

The disturbing figures were contained in the agency’s Mid-Year Activity Report, released on Monday, July 21, 2025, which covers emergency incidents between January and June this year. The report offers a snapshot of the growing frequency and impact of safety incidents in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

According to the agency, a total of 1,072 emergency cases were recorded during the six-month period, including 922 fire incidents, 10 building collapses, eight of which were partial, 2 minor explosions, as well as 73 rescue operations and 65 salvage missions.

A statement signed by Maria Fadairo, Senior Public Affairs Officer of the LSFRS, noted that while the service successfully rescued 252 individuals from life-threatening situations, 62 fatalities were also recorded.

“During this period, the Service commendably rescued 252 individuals from perilous situations, including fires and building collapses. Regrettably, 62 fatalities were recorded,” the statement read.

The report further estimated that while ₦10.72 billion worth of property was lost to the disasters, prompt emergency response efforts helped save assets valued at over ₦64.32 billion.

The LSFRS raised alarm over the rising cases of prank calls, revealing that it received as many as 315 false emergency alerts within the first half of the year.

“These prank calls continue to stretch the service’s manpower and operational capacity, potentially causing delays in real emergencies,” the statement warned.

Fire Service Speaks on Challenges, Strategic Plans

Reacting to the report, Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the agency remains committed to reducing fire risks, limiting losses, and saving lives across the state.

“These figures demonstrate our agency’s effectiveness in contributing to the gross domestic product while minimising damage and safeguarding lives, the environment, and assets across Lagos State,” she said.

Adeseye also revealed that the fire service is actively engaging stakeholders to develop new strategies to curb the increasing rate of fire disasters and structural collapses. She highlighted the upcoming 2025 International Fire Safety Conference 2.0 as one of the key platforms for shaping future policies on emergency response and safety.

“These efforts will be further strengthened during the upcoming Y2025 International Fire Safety Conference 2.0, where collaborative strategies for enhancing fire safety and emergency response will be further discussed,” she added.

Amid growing public concerns over the surge in building collapses, industry professionals have blamed the problem on a combination of greed, technical incompetence, and lack of regulatory enforcement in the construction sector.

Gbola Aremu, a construction expert and manager at Titan Clan Limited, in an interview, said the collapse of buildings in Lagos is largely due to developers cutting corners and neglecting critical engineering procedures.

“People are going into the construction business and building houses without the requisite experience,” Aremu said. “There’s a big boom in the real estate industry; everyone wants to be a developer, but the requirements, technical know-how, and attention to detail are lacking.”

He added that many developers fail to conduct basic soil tests, ignore drainage patterns, and disregard the quality of soil, all of which are critical to the durability and safety of a building’s foundation.

“People are driven by greed. They don’t conduct soil tests, fail to assess whether the area is waterlogged, ignore soil quality, and neglect drainage patterns. These are all critical in determining the strength and depth of a building’s foundation,” Aremu warned.

As Lagos continues to grow rapidly in population and infrastructure, the rising number of fire outbreaks and building collapses remains a serious concern. Authorities are urging the public to observe basic safety measures, avoid tampering with construction codes, and refrain from making prank emergency calls that endanger real-time rescue efforts.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also appealed for increased collaboration among citizens, stakeholders, and industry regulators to strengthen safety protocols and minimise the risks of future disasters.