Over 80% of Lagos Fires Linked to Human Error – Fire Service

The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, has revealed that over 80% of fire and emergency incidents recorded across the state stem from preventable acts of carelessness.

Adeseye made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday ahead of the second edition of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC 2.0), scheduled for August. The three-day event aims to raise awareness on proactive fire prevention strategies among residents, businesses, and policy stakeholders.

The statement, signed by the agency’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, Maria Fadairo, quoted Adeseye as saying, “Carelessness accounts for over 80% of fire and related emergency incidents in Lagos. LIFSC 2.0 is our platform to drive home the message that the best fire fought is the one prevented.”

Themed “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fires,” the upcoming conference will bring together at least 2,000 participants, including fire safety experts, emergency responders, community leaders, market stakeholders, and government officials.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to deliver the keynote address and formally open the conference.

According to Fadairo, the conference is being organised under the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations and will feature interactive sessions on fire suppression, disaster risk reduction, handling hazardous materials, live demonstrations, and an exhibition of cutting-edge safety equipment.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, described the conference as central to Lagos State’s proactive approach to protecting lives, properties, and the environment. “By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and empowering communities with knowledge, we are building a safer, more resilient Lagos for all,” he said.

Supporting the initiative, Permanent Secretary Sesan Ogundeko emphasized the need for sustained education and periodic conferences to entrench a lasting culture of fire safety.

He also highlighted the success of LIFSC 1.0 held in 2024, which attracted over 1,800 delegates and laid the foundation for expanded fire safety discussions and innovations.

With this year’s edition, Lagos State aims to deepen public engagement in safety practices while championing technology-led strategies to prevent avoidable fire disasters across Nigeria’s commercial hub.