By Ayo Ayodele
No fewer than 133 lives and properties valued at ₦19.72 billion were lost to fire outbreaks in Lagos State in 2025, according to figures released by the Lagos State Government.
The statistics, contained in the 2025 Activity Report of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, show an increase from 2024, when 91 lives and ₦19.52 billion worth of property were lost to fire incidents.
The report was unveiled during the service’s 2026 Staff Engagement held in Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme “People, Preparedness and Service Delivery.”
According to the report, the agency received 2,617 emergency calls in 2025, including 645 false alarms. A total of 1,685 fire incidents were recorded, with 473 victims rescued alive, while properties valued at ₦118.32 billion were saved.
Fire prevention efforts during the year included 8,791 facility inspections, issuance of 7,997 safety certificates, and the generation of 90 advisory reports.
Speaking at the event, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the service continued to face operational challenges such as frequent false emergency calls and inadequate water supply during rescue operations.
She noted that the engagement provided an opportunity to review past performance, strengthen preparedness, and recommit to effective service delivery.
“Our people are our greatest asset. Preparedness is the backbone of our operations, and service delivery remains the true measure of our impact on the lives and property of Lagosians,” Adeseye said.
She also commended the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for signing the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Bill into law, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the agency’s institutional framework and operational efficiency.
The event featured presentations, experience-sharing sessions, and the decoration of newly promoted officers, alongside awards for outstanding personnel.