Fire Raze Computer Village Building, Goods Worth Millions Lost

A raging inferno in the early hours of Tuesday gutted a one-storey commercial building on Somoye Osundairo Street, in the heart of Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, destroying computers and accessories worth millions of naira.

The fire, which broke out around midnight, affected a building predominantly occupied by dealers in computers and related accessories, once again raising concerns over the frequency of fire incidents in Nigeria’s largest technology hub.

According to a preliminary incident report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), distress calls were received via the 767/112 toll-free emergency lines at about 1:55 a.m., prompting the immediate activation of the state’s emergency response plan from its Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

LASEMA’s response team arrived at the scene at approximately 2:15 a.m., where they encountered intense flames and thick smoke billowing from the structure—clear signs that the fire had already gained significant momentum.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency explained that the nature of the materials stored in the building accelerated the spread of the blaze.

“The fire outbreak occurred in a one-storey commercial building accommodating dealers in computers and accessories. The high volume of combustible materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,” he said.
While the exact cause of the incident remains unknown, LASEMA confirmed that investigations have commenced to determine its origin.

No fatalities were recorded during the incident. However, one firefighter from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service sustained minor injuries in the course of the operation and was treated on-site by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

A preliminary damage assessment revealed extensive losses. The entire top floor of the building was completely destroyed, with all goods stored there consumed by the fire. Parts of the building’s structure were also compromised, raising concerns about its stability and the need for urgent structural integrity assessments.

Emergency responders promptly cordoned off the area to avert further danger, while containment measures were put in place to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings in the densely packed commercial district.

LASEMA noted that the swift and coordinated response by multiple agencies helped to contain the blaze and avert a potentially wider disaster in Computer Village, an area long criticised for congestion and poor compliance with safety regulations.
Firefighting operations have since been concluded, although damping-down exercises are ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition. Rescue and recovery efforts have also been completed.

In its recommendations, the agency called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, a comprehensive structural assessment of the affected building, and a broader review of fire safety measures and storage practices across Computer Village and similar commercial clusters.
Agencies involved in the response included LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, and the Nigeria Police Force.