One dies as fire torches four building in Lagos

A middle aged woman, Mrs. Okanlawon Florence was, on Wednesday, electrocuted at Oke Ira in Ojodu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, following a power surge from a 25KVA transformer.

Okanlawon was electrocuted while trying to switch-off her refrigerator.

The power surge which occurred around 8.30am also resulted in a fire outbreak and torched four buildings before the fire was put out by a combined team of bystanders, the Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos State emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and men of the Civil Defense Corps.

Preliminary investigation had it that the fire emanated from a high voltage supplied to a 25KVA transformer – a mini transformer attached to four buildings. The fire torched all the buildings the transformer is attached to.

According to General Manager, Lagos State emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu one of the daughters of the deceased was also injured in the incident.

He said; “the agency received the distress call on fire incident from PHCN transformer at Shokoya Close off Dapson Street, Oke Ira Ojodu LCDA through the 767/112 emergency toll free line at about 8.29 am and the agency immediately contacted the Ikeja Electric PLC at  Oke Ira to disconnect the area from power sources to prevent any imminent disaster.”

He confirmed that the woman died after being rushed to a nearby general hospital at Ifako Ijaye while the daughter who was also affected by the fire is still receiving treatment.

He described the incident as a very pathetic one, stating that such incident could have been avoided through adequate precautionary measures.

He reiterated that proper investigation would be conducted on the incident. He however advised Lagosian to ensure that electrical appliances are also disconnected while not in use.