By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Family members living in the boys’ quarters behind a storey building on No 49 Oyinlola Street, Off Adealu Bus Stop, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, escaped death by a whisker when the quarters caved in on Saturday.
Following the collapse, people in the area alerted emergency responders including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, which stormed the premises to observe the situation.
The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Sunday, said the boys’ quarters self-collapsed, adding that none of the family members were affected.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency responded to the distress calls received via the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free lines at 10.44 pm on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from its Igando and Cappa Base.
“Upon arrival at the scene, investigations revealed that it was the boys’ quarters domiciled behind a storey building at the 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. The agency’s response teams conducted public enlightenment for awareness and knowledge of the inherent and real dangers to occupants of the building during their continuous stay there.”
According to the statement, the main building which consisted of nine rooms downstairs and two flats upstairs had been cordoned off as all occupants were advised to evacuate the building immediately for the safety of their lives and property.
The statement said, “The 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 for the above reason of space.
“Integrity tests by the Material Testing Laboratory have also been recommended for the main building, to determine its continued existence. LASEMA Response Teams from Cappa and Igando Base, the agency’s pre-hospital care team, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance.”