Fire guts Mega Plastic as govt threatens sanction over absence of water hydrant

Fire gutted the factory of Mega Plastic, Ilupeju, Lagos, yesterday, destroying properties worth millions of naira and leaving people with varying degrees of injuries.

According to emergency responders, the fire started from the company’s Engineer’s office. Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) added that the engineer was not on ground when the inferno started, before it escalated to the factory and its warehouse.

However, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), Margaret Adeseye, said that the state government may sanction Mega Plastic for non-installation of water hydrant within its factory.

Speaking at the scene of the incident, Adeseye said: “We had challenges while trying to access the scene of the incident because the gate was locked. However, we commenced firefighting immediately we got here.

“We were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings and the company’s machines and storage sections.”

She added: “We are yet to know the cause of the fire, but the information we got was that chemicals were stored in the area where the fire emanated from. However, we are still investigating.”

Commenting on the absence of water hydrant around the scene, she said: “We noticed that there was no water hydrant and we have been telling organisations on the importance of having water hydrant within their premises.”

Traffic Officer Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21 said that LASTMA rescue team arrived at the scene around 6:30am before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

According to Olaosebikan: “Immediately, we arrived at the scene, we quickly informed other emergency responders, particularly the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police.”