… Says Agency Recorded 249 Emergency Calls
The Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye has appealed to the general public to desist from the act of inappropriate storage of the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) in view of the present fuel scarcity ravaging the country.
According to the Fire and Rescue Service Boss, the appeal becomes necessary considering the rate of fire incidents recorded in recent times.
The Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that the State Fire Agency recorded a total number of 249 (Two Hundred and Forty-nine) Emergency Calls between January and February this year, saying that the development is of great worry to the State’s Fire Agency.
The State Fire Chief noted that since the advent of fuel scarcity across the country, some people have devised various illegal means of storing the petroleum product, including storage in inappropriate places.
This practice, according to her, are some of the factors responsible for the increase in the number of Fire outbreaks in the past few weeks, adding that the situation had led to destruction of lives and properties in different parts of the State.
Adeseye expressed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to guarantee the sanctity of lives and properties of the citizenry, just as she decried that the non-challant attitude of members of the public to the safety policies remains a great concern to the Government.
Her words: “I am particularly bothered by this increased figure despite the huge resources already committed to enlightenment campaign in all Local Government/Local Council Development Areas, Hospitals, Schools and in other public places.”
She described the present fuel scarcity as regrettable, pointing out that it should not be an excuse for illegitimate and inappropriate storage of fuel to the detriment of human lives and avoidable loss of properties.
The agency boss has also warned the public to avoid using Jerry Cans that has been used for Petrol to store Kerosene and any other flammable Liquids, while also advising motorists against storing Petrol in their Boots, especially Commercial Vehicles.
While calling on Landlords and Tenants to be observant and prevent the storage of fuel at homes and in public places, Adeseye urged Filling Stations to disallow Customers from clustering around Dispensing Pumps and avoid discharging Fuel in Polythene Bags in order to avoid scuffle that can spark off outbreak of Fire.
“Any Fire outbreak spotted, especially in this period, should be quickly reported to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on Toll Free lines: *767* or *112* or the Lagos Fire Hotline, 08033235891 for prompt responses,” the Director added.
