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A major fire that gutted Parco Enterprises Nigeria Limited along Alaba Suru, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, on Saturday evening, has been linked to chemical materials stored at the facility, according to a preliminary report released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA.
The blaze, which erupted around 7:25 p.m., engulfed a warehouse used for chemical blending and storage within an industrial cluster.
LASEMA’s report, signed by Permanent Secretary Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed that the fire rapidly spread over an estimated 15,000 square metres, involving highly flammable chemical materials.
“The affected facility is a warehouse and chemical blending and storage site. The fire quickly extended across roughly 15,000 square metres, involving stored chemical substances. The intensity of the fire triggered intermittent explosions for several hours,” the agency said in a statement.
The explosions caused panic among residents and posed serious risks to neighbouring facilities within the industrial zone.
According to LASEMA, the fire was eventually brought under control through a coordinated effort involving the LASEMA Response Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, and private fire-fighting resources from Veepee.
Emergency responders have remained on-site to prevent re-ignition and protect adjacent properties.
Firefighting operations were conducted strategically from both front and rear access points of the facility.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service led suppression from the main entrance, while LASEMA Fire provided support from the rear,” the statement noted.
The agency also acknowledged the contribution of beverage company Lacasera, which assisted in replenishing water supplies to sustain firefighting efforts.
Preliminary assessments by responders highlighted factors that may have exacerbated the fire, including the high volume of volatile chemicals stored in a confined space, limited ventilation within the warehouse, and insufficient emergency preparedness measures to manage a fire of such scale.
LASEMA emphasised that further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the outbreak and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Chemical storage triggered fire at Parco Enterprises in Lagos – LASEMA
