The Commanding Officer, Federal Fire Service, Lagos, Mr. Theophilus Aderemi, on Wednesday said the service saved properties estimated at about N26.4 billion within the first six months of this year.

Aderemi, who made the disclosure in Lagos at a news conference on the activities and challenges of the service, said that about N10.7 billion was lost within the same period.

He said the estimated figures were based on information supplied by property owners, who either had their property saved or lost to fire incidents in different parts of the state.

Aderemi said the service responded to 106 fire incidents, while three lives were lost during the period.

The commanding officer, who expressed sadness and worry over the state of their facilities, noted that the service only maintained one fire truck in the 15 fire stations it operated.

Aderemi said the lack of equipment had hampered their operations, and appealed to the federal and state governments as well as corporate organisations for urgent assistance.

"I have personally attended to some fire incidents at the Naval Base, Kotangora House and FESTAC Town among others.

"And we discovered that we have to declare a state of emergency in Federal Fire Service due to challenges which are enormous.

"We are handicapped as virtually all the fire trucks, salvage tenders, ambulances and communication gadgets are over 30 years old without replacement. They are all obsolete. The lack of equipment has equally exposed my men to frequent attack by the public during emergencies,’’ he said.

"Hoodlums had many times vandalised our rickety trucks due to slow response.

"I, therefore, appeal to Mr President and Commander in Chief, Vice President, the Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Corporate organisations and philanthropists to save the service from going moribund,’’ Aderemi said.

The fire service boss said there was an urgent need to have a fire station in each of the council’s areas, noting that this would save more lives and property as the state moves into a mega-city.

He also appealed to members of the public to stop attacking men and facilities of the fire service, adding that they had well trained men for fire fighting but lacked equipment to work with.

Aderemi commended the state fire service, Nigerian Ports Authority, UBA, Union Bank, Julius Berger and others for their efforts in saving lives and property in Lagos. (NAN)

Update news