One dies, seven injured as fire raze bank in Lagos

By Adewale Adekunle

One person was reportedly burnt to death while seven others sustained varying degrees of injury in Lagos as fire gutted a commercial bank at Adeola Odeku in Victoria Island.

Some personnel of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, attached to the area were said to have escaped being burnt while their operational vehicle was razed.

The personnel were said to have sustained minor injuries from the broken glasses of their vehicle. 

It was learnt that the fire erupted from the repair work on the industrial generating set within bank premises.

This caused panic in the area as many ran for their dear lives.

However, normalcy was later returned to the area as the fire was successfully put out.

According to Adeseye Margaret, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, a male body was recovered from the scene.

The bank is a four- storey building located at Plot 1114, Adeola Odeku Street, by Eletu Ogabi Close, Opposite Keystone Bank, Victoria Island.

According to her, the incident was reported at about 10:03am through distress calls and this was responded to by the Oba Oniru Fire Station.

On the cause of the fire outbreak, she said, it occurred from an industrial generating set which was being fixed before it reportedly exploded and ravaged the building.

"The generator which was housed within the premises of a commercial bank, also affected an adjoining Toyota Saloon Car belonging to the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Police stationed outside the premises.

"Unfortunately, a male adult was recovered severely burnt beyond recognition and handed over to the Police from Bar-Beach Division while the four storey commercial building was saved and the RRS Policemen escaped unhurt.

"Further report will be given as the investigation into the cause of incident is completed."

Earlier, Lagos RRS, on its official Facebook page, had narrated how one of its vehicles was involved in the fire.

According to the post, some RRS men were on patrol of Adeola Odeku street when the incident occured, "RRS vehicle on patrol of Adeola Odeku was this morning involved in a fire incident.

"Although lives were lost in the incident but our officers escaped with injuries.

"While we pray for the repose of the souls of those whose lives were lost in the incident, we appreciate those who have been calling and sending messages to our Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi."

In a telephone conversation, the Spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin said those injured are currently receiving medical attention at a hospital. He said, "One person was injured and seven others have been rushed to the hospital."