The Lagos State Fire Service on Saturday confirmed a fire incident involving three bungalow buildings with 48 rooms of varying sizes and 15 shanties, at Ajah.
A statement signed by Acting Head, Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs. Margret Adeseye noted that the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday.
Adeseye said men of the state fire service had challenges putting out the fire because of rivalry groups who were in dispute over the affected land.
“A fire call at 0447hrs on Saturday, 11th April, 2020 to 28/30 Church Street, Alesh Bus Stop, Eti- Osa Local Government, Ilaje, Ajah, Lagos.
“A team led by PFO, Adenuga from Lekki Phase 1 Fire Station deployed to the scene, on arrival discovered that it was a fire involving three bungalow buildings with 48 rooms of varying sizes and 15 shanty structures. The buildings are situated on a land of about 1,944sq metres.
“The rooms and contents were severely damaged as the fire ranges on because there was a rivalry groups: the Ajah Ijebu and the Ajah Ilaje who were having a dispute over the land on Fire. Stones, satchet water, bottled water of a content like petrol were thrown into the fire in order to disturb Firemen from performing there lawful duty.
“When the situation became tensed, men of the State Fire Service were advised to withdraw by the leader of the police team, ACP Gbolahan for safety reason.
“A team of policemen led by Area Commander, ACP Gbolahan from Area J, Ajah were in attendance to restore law and order.
“Meanwhile, the fire is out but normalcy is yet to be restored as the rivalry dispute continues in the community. The crowd is still in a very large number” read the statement.