Navy officials step in as first responders, contain late-night fire in Lagos

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Officials of the Nigerian Navy acted as first responders, successfully containing a fire outbreak at the Nigerian Correctional Service quarters in Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos State.

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In a statement posted on Facebook, Navy spokesperson Abiodun Folorunsho, a captain, said the incident occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on 22 April, when the inferno broke out in a residential building within the quarters.

He said preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, which caused the fire to spread rapidly to a nearby structure.

In the absence of an immediate fire service response, naval personnel from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY, working alongside the Naval Ordnance Depot (NOD), swiftly mobilised two fire trucks to the scene, Mr Folorunsho stated.

“Through a coordinated rapid firefighting effort, the naval team contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading further before the arrival of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service,” he said.

Mr Folorunsho noted that despite the destruction of two buildings and loss of property, no casualties were recorded.

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He said the Navy commended the professionalism and courage of its officials, noting that their timely action averted what could have become a large-scale emergency.

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It also emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness and adherence to preventive measures, particularly in residential areas.

Reaffirming its role in support of civil authorities, the navy spokesperson stated that the agency remains committed to deploying its logistical capabilities for emergency response operations to safeguard lives and property whenever necessary.