LASEMA confirms fire destroyed an Apostolic Church building in Lagos

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that its teams were able to contain a fire in Lagos, stopping it from reaching neighboring buildings.

The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, said this in a statement released on Tuesday.

The fire broke out at approximately 3 p.m., triggering the immediate deployment of emergency response teams after distress calls were logged through the state’s 767 and 112 hotlines.

When responders arrived, they found that a two‑storey building used by The Apostolic Church was fully engulfed in flames.

Initial investigations suggest the fire originated in the rear part of the upper floor and then moved toward the front of the structure.

LASEMA indicated that an electrical surge, likely caused by the active public electricity supply, was the suspected source of the blaze.

No deaths or injuries were reported, a result the agency attributes to rapid evacuation and prompt action by emergency personnel.

Firefighting efforts were coordinated with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, all of which collaborated to bring the incident under control.

Firebreaks were strategically established to prevent the flames from reaching adjacent residential and commercial properties.

Although portions of the church building were salvaged, the site was secured to protect worshippers, nearby residents, and emergency workers.

By roughly 3:20 p.m., damping‑down operations continued to eliminate any risk of re‑ignition, even though the fire had been contained.

Dr Olufemi Oke‑Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, praised residents for quickly notifying emergency services and lauded the coordinated response of all agencies involved.

He said the absence of casualties reflects the state government’s ongoing investment in emergency preparedness, training, and response infrastructure.

Oke‑Osanyintolu also announced that the Lagos State Safety Commission will work with faith‑based organisations to provide free electrical safety inspections and fire‑prevention drills.

He urged residents to employ certified electricians, install surge‑protection devices, and avoid overloading electrical circuits.

The Permanent Secretary also encouraged the public to keep using the 767 and 112 emergency numbers for swift emergency response.

He added that the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory will conduct structural integrity assessments of the affected building after the