Family escapes death in Lagos building collapse

A family has escaped death as their house in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State collapsed.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Sunday, July 14, 2024, said the incident occurred around Adealu Bus-stop in the Iyana-Ipaja area of the state.

Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that LASEMA responded to distress calls received via the 767/112 emergency toll-free lines at about 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, from the agency’s Igando and Cappa base.

He stated: “Upon arrival at the scene, investigations revealed that it was the boys’ quarters domiciled behind a storey-building at the above-mentioned location that self-collapsed.

“Fortunately, the single family involved was able to escape before the collapse. There were no casualties or fatalities involved in the incident.

“Further investigations revealed that the boys’ quarter of the said storey-building self-collapsed as a result of neglect and poor maintenance.”

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The LASEMA boss added that the agency’s response teams conducted public enlightenment for awareness and knowledge on the inherent and real dangers to occupants of the building on their continuous stay.

Oke-Osanyintolu noted: “The main building which consists of nine rooms downstairs and two flats upstairs has been cordoned off.

“All occupants have been advised to evacuate the building immediately for the safety of their lives and properties.

“Location of the self-collapsed boys’ quarters is inaccessible. Therefore, manual demolition of its remnants is recommended.

“Manual clearing of the debris from the self-collapsed boy’s quarters is equally recommended.

“Integrity tests by material testing laboratory has also been recommended for the main building, to determine its continued existence.”

The Star