By Prosper Mene
A devastating fire outbreak in Lagos has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety in residential areas of the city.
The incident occurred on Friday, January 16, 2026, at a residential bungalow located at No. 8 Bola Street, off Kadara Street in the Oyingbo area of Lagos Mainland Local Government.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), distress calls were received at approximately 11:43 a.m. via the state’s 767/112 emergency lines. Responders from LASEMA’s Onipanu base were activated and arrived at the scene by 12:13 p.m., where they found the buildingโa, residential structure with two attached shops fully engulfed in flames.
The fire reportedly originated in one room before rapidly spreading to other parts of the building. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Tragically, the 103-year-old woman, who was sleeping in her apartment at the time, perished in the inferno. Her remains were recovered by emergency teams and handed over to her family for burial arrangements.
The blaze affected eight room-and-parlour units, one self-contained mini flat, six shops, and numerous household properties, resulting in significant material losses estimated in the millions of naira. No other casualties were reported.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that officials conducted an immediate risk assessment upon arrival, cordoned off the area, and implemented safety measures to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring structures.
The inferno was successfully subdued through coordinated efforts involving the LASEMA Response Team, LASEMA Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and officials from Lagos Mainland Local Government.
Rescue, recovery, and dampening-down operations have since been concluded.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu appealed to residents to strictly adhere to fire safety guidelines to avert similar tragedies, amid recurring fire incidents in Lagos.
This latest loss comes shortly after other major fire events in the state, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced fire prevention, awareness, and infrastructure in densely populated urban areas.
