A devastating fire has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman and destroyed a residential building in the Oyingbo area of Lagos State. The tragic incident occurred on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 8 Bola Street, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.
Emergency Response and Scene of the Tragedy
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the fatality and extensive damage. According to a statement by the agency's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, distress calls were received at 11:43 a.m. via the 767/112 emergency lines. LASEMA promptly activated its response team from the Onipanu base, who arrived at the scene by approximately 12:13 p.m.
Responders found a residential bungalow with two attached shops completely engulfed in flames. The fire is reported to have started in one room before spreading rapidly to other sections of the building. The exact cause of the ignition remains under investigation.
Extent of Damage and Recovery Efforts
The inferno caused significant property loss. Officials confirmed that the blaze affected eight room-and-parlour units, one self-contained mini flat, six shops, and numerous household belongings. Upon arrival, LASEMA personnel conducted an immediate risk assessment, cordoned off the area, and implemented safety protocols to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring structures.
A coordinated firefighting operation involving the LASEMA Response Team, the LASEMA Fire Unit, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service eventually subdued the flames. Following the operation, the remains of the elderly victim were recovered and handed over to her grieving family. Rescue, recovery, and dampening down operations have since been concluded.
A Recurring Menace in Lagos
This incident highlights the persistent challenge of fire outbreaks in Lagos and across Nigeria. These frequent tragedies often result in loss of life, severe injuries, and the destruction of livelihoods, leaving many citizens in a state of frustration and hopelessness.
Other agencies present at the Oyingbo scene included the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and officials from the Lagos Mainland Local Government.
The death toll from another major fire incident in Lagos also recently increased. Legit.ng had earlier reported that the blaze which gutted the old Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Lagos Island on Christmas Eve now stands at twelve, after four more bodies were recovered from the rubble. The federal government, through NEMA, deployed heavy-duty equipment to aid recovery at that site.
