The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has revealed that the fire incident that gutted part of the headquarters of the West African Examination (WAEC) in Lagos State on Wednesday morning was caused by a power surge.
There was tension in the early hours of Wednesday, October 26 when a huge inferno rose from the high rise structure.
An eyewitness who spoke with newsmen earlier on the incident explained that a council staff believed to have been trapped between some floors was seen attempting to jump through the window of the 12-floor building to escape being suffocated.
After successfully dousing the flames, LASEMA told newsmen that seven persons were rescued alive from the fire incident.
The government agency told Channels Television that upon arrival at the location, its officials found a section of the WAEC HQ multi-storey building on fire.
The official revealed that the fire started on the 3rd floor of the 12-storey building due to a power surge.
“A total of seven female staff of the Corporation were trapped on the 5th and 7th floors and were safely evacuated due to the swift response of the Rescue team on the ground. The fire has also been put off and dampening down concluded,” the statement said.
According to the agency, a post-disaster assessment and staff headcount are ongoing.
“The combined efforts of the Agency’s team alongside the Agency’s Paramedics, LASG FIRE, FED FIRE, UNILAG FIRE, LASAMBUS, and LASTMA are on the ground to ensure a swift recovery,” LASEMA added in the statement.
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