Lagos Saves ₦117 Billion Worth of Properties, 450 Lives as Fire Cases Drop by 20% in 2024
The Lagos State Government has announced major progress in fire safety, revealing that it saved properties worth ₦117.12 billion and rescued 450 people from fire-related emergencies in 2024.
According to the 2024 Fire Report presented at the second Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC) in Victoria Island, the state recorded a 20% drop in fire incidents compared to 2023.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attributed the success to massive investment in modern firefighting equipment, the building of new fire stations, and increased public awareness.
“In the last six years, we’ve built 25 new fire stations, with four more nearing completion. We’ve also deployed over 60 new fire trucks in just two years,” the governor said.
He added that smart technologies such as drones for detecting fires in high-rise buildings and an upgraded Command and Control Centre have helped to reduce emergency response time from 15 minutes to just 5–7 minutes.
“Our awareness campaigns are working. More Lagosians now understand how to prevent fire outbreaks and act quickly when they happen,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Margret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, shared more details. She said the agency handled 1,952 emergency calls in 2024, including 1,607 fire cases, down from over 2,500 in 2023.
Key highlights of the report include:
-91 fire-related deaths
-₦19.5 billion in estimated property losses
-7,870 facility inspections for fire risk assessment
-7,039 fire safety certificates issued to schools, businesses, and public institutions
Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, said the state’s goal is to make fire safety a shared responsibility, calling for support from residents, communities, and the private sector.
With continued public education and faster emergency response, Lagos is aiming for even fewer casualties and property losses in the years ahead.
