Community willpower remains strongest weapon against fire – Sanwo-Olu

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said that despite the reduction in fire incidents through the use of modern technology, community willpower remains the strongest weapon in combating fire outbreaks.

He made the remark at the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference (LIFSC) 2.0 in Victoria Island, Lagos, themed “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire.”

Sanwo-Olu described the conference as a continuation of the foundation laid during LIFSC 1.0, adding that it has become a united front in the mission to protect lives, property, and the state’s economy from the devastating impact of fire. He revealed that in 2023, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded to over 2,500 distress calls, each representing disrupted lives, endangered businesses, and threatened dreams.

He noted that although early 2024 recorded a troubling rise in incidents, the inaugural conference in June 2024 marked a turning point, leading to a noticeable drop. “This proves something powerful: when we unite knowledge, technology, and community willpower, we save lives,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu stressed that the state’s success comes from combining smart technology with active community participation. He explained that technology provides special equipment and systems that prevent fires from escalating, including drones for aerial assessments, cameras that can see through smoke, alarm systems for early warnings, and real-time data for firefighters to act swiftly.

“But even the best technology cannot be everywhere at once,” he added. “Our strongest weapon is still a well-informed and alert community. We are working hard to teach fire safety in simple ways that everyone can understand.”

Earlier, the Director of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that 2,573 fire incidents were recorded in 2023, compared to 1,952 in 2024. She said property worth ₦117.12 billion was saved in 2024, while the estimated loss stood at ₦19.52 billion.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, noted that the state government will continue to leverage technology and community engagement to prevent fire disasters.