LAGOS: Again, fire razes Oko Baba sawmill in Ebute-Metta

BUT for the quick intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service of the state a fire incident that happened at Oko Baba Sawmill in Ebute Metta today would have destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Though the effort by the firefighters prevented the fire from extending to the adjoining shanties and residential areas, it wreacked havoc on some parts of the ever busy sawmill.

The development was  disclosed in a statement issued by the Acting Controller, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, while briefing journalists about the incident.

The statement read, “The  Agency received an alert at about 0239 hours indicating that Oko Baba Saw-Mill was on fire and action was immediately taken with the deployment of three Fire Engines and crew members to combat the situation.”

The statement further explained that “on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the fire which erupted in the market spanning over hectares of Land was raging and had consumed various equipment used for cutting, filling & finishing woods & planks, as well as stock such as wood polish.

“The Fire Agency boss further explained that the cause of the incident is yet unknown as speculations are rife of possible carelessness, while an investigation into the remote cause had begun in earnest.

“The fire which was combatted all through the night was finally put out at 0758hrs.”

Some weeks ago fire razed scores of shanties at the Ondo-Ibadan axis of the same sawmill.