Lagos State has raised the alarm over fire safety as new figures show that 1,324 fire and other emergency incidents were recorded between January and September 2026, leaving 65 suspected fatalities and billions of naira in property losses.
The figures were contained in the Third Quarter Activity Report of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which detailed the agency’s emergency response operations across the state during the first nine months of the year.
According to the report, fire outbreaks accounted for the largest share of incidents, with 1,135 fire calls recorded during the period.
Other emergencies included 100 salvage operations, 79 rescue calls, nine building-collapse incidents and one gas-related explosion.
The scale of the incidents has prompted renewed calls for residents, businesses and institutions to take fire prevention seriously, particularly as dry-season conditions increase concerns about potential outbreaks.
The service disclosed that 210 people were rescued alive during its operations, while 65 suspected fatalities were recovered from various emergency scenes.
Although the figures reflect the human consequences of emergencies across Lagos, they also highlight the importance of effective response systems, public awareness and preventative measures to reduce avoidable deaths.
The report further revealed that property valued at approximately ₦79.44 billion was saved during emergency operations, demonstrating the potential impact of timely intervention by firefighters and rescue personnel.
However, estimated property losses reached ₦13.24 billion, while the total value of property affected during the period stood at approximately ₦92.68 billion.
The figures underline the financial consequences of fire outbreaks and other emergencies for households, business owners and public institutions, many of which depend on buildings, equipment and stock to sustain their livelihoods.
The service also expressed concern over the number of false emergency calls received during the nine-month period, reporting 341 incidents classified as false alarms.
Officials warned that prank calls could divert emergency personnel and resources from genuine incidents, potentially delaying assistance to people facing immediate danger.
The warning comes as the agency seeks greater public cooperation to ensure that emergency calls are genuine, accurate and made promptly when incidents occur.
Senior Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Maria Fadairo, disclosed the figures in a statement announcing the latest activity report.
She conveyed the agency’s concerns about the growing need for residents to adopt safer practices and remain alert to circumstances that could trigger fires or other emergencies.
Controller-General of the service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, also urged Lagos residents to treat fire prevention as a shared responsibility rather than relying solely on firefighters after an incident has occurred.
Among the safety measures recommended by the agency is avoiding indiscriminate burning, which can allow flames to spread beyond the intended area and threaten nearby homes, businesses and other structures.
Residents have also been advised to handle and store flammable materials carefully, especially in environments where heat, open flames or electrical equipment may create additional risks.
The service further urged households and businesses to switch off and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use and to avoid overloading electrical sockets.
These precautions are particularly important where faulty wiring, damaged appliances or excessive electrical loads could increase the likelihood of an outbreak.
The agency also encouraged residents to maintain functional fire extinguishers and ensure that escape routes, entrances and access points remain clear so that occupants and emergency responders can move quickly when necessary.
Prompt reporting was another key recommendation, with the service urging residents to contact emergency responders as soon as a fire or other serious incident occurs.
Officials also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with firefighters when they arrive at emergency scenes, allowing personnel to carry out rescue and containment operations safely.
The monthly figures showed that January recorded the highest number of incidents, with 203 cases, followed by March with 201, while September recorded the lowest total at 94.
March also had the highest number of fire calls, with 176 incidents, followed by January with 173, whereas September recorded 80 fire calls.
These variations provide important information for emergency planning and public awareness campaigns, although the figures alone do not establish the causes of individual incidents or explain every monthly change.
As Lagos moves further into the dry season, the government’s warning places renewed emphasis on prevention, preparedness and responsible public behaviour.
The latest report shows that while emergency responders have saved lives and protected substantial property, the continued occurrence of fires and other incidents presents a serious challenge for communities across the state.
Authorities are therefore encouraging residents to take practical precautions at home, in workplaces and in public spaces to reduce risks before emergencies develop.
The service maintains that preventing incidents wherever possible remains one of the most effective ways to protect lives, property and livelihoods across Lagos.