Fire Prevention Requires Better Planning, Modern Technology — Rhodes-Vivour

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said fire prevention and emergency response must be treated as a critical part of governance because of the devastating impact fire incidents have on lives, property and businesses.

Rhodes-Vivour spoke as one of the panellists at the premiere of CBI News’ documentary, “Burning Point: Inside Lagos Fire” and a stakeholder dialogue, held in Lagos.

Discussing the theme “Beyond the Flames: Rethinking Disaster Preparedness, Response and Accountability in Nigeria,” he said fire could destroy value and reduce investments to zero, especially in a state where insurance coverage is not widespread and victims often struggle to get justice or compensation.

He said the primary role of government was the protection of life and property, adding that authorities must have clear systems, scenario plans and a proper understanding of how to address fire risks, particularly in markets.

According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service 2025 Activity Report, Lagos recorded 1,685 fire incidents in 2025. The report also indicated 133 deaths and estimated property losses of N19.72 billion.

Rhodes-Vivour: “Fire can take away everything. Government must have a system, scenario plans, and a clear understanding of how to address the problem, particularly in markets,” he said.

He noted that Lagos is a centre of business, with markets spread across the state and serving as a major driver of its economy. He said securing the lives and property of traders and market users should therefore be a priority for the government.

According to him, many of the challenges in fire prevention and response arise from poor scenario planning, inadequate investment in the fire service, and a failure to keep pace with modern technology.

He cited the recent fire incident in a high-rise building on Lagos Island, saying footage showed a fire truck at the base of the building pushing water to the upper floors, while firefighters went inside to combat the blaze.

He argued that modern firefighting technology now offers better options, including the use of drones to deliver fire-suppressing devices into affected rooms. According to him, such technology can extinguish fires faster, reduce risks to firefighters, and not depend solely on access routes for fire trucks.

Rhodes-Vivour said the technology had become common in countries such as China and in parts of Europe. He said the continued discussion around creating access routes for fire trucks in markets and addressing water shortages showed the need for Nigeria to adapt to modern solutions.

“We should not still be talking about fire trucks pushing water up 15-story buildings when drones can now be used,” he said.

He acknowledged that fire trucks would remain useful for low-rise buildings, such as bungalows and two-story structures, but said the government must embrace technology and invest in it seriously.

He added that fire response should not be about making headlines over the purchase of new trucks while residents wait for hours during emergencies. According to him, technology can help provide quicker responses, safer operations, and better protection for lives and property.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said Lagos, as a growing center of commerce, industry, transportation, and residential development, faces significant public safety challenges.

Adeseye, who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the responsibility of the government goes beyond responding to emergencies.

She said it also includes anticipating risks, reducing vulnerability, and protecting lives, livelihoods, and investments across the state.

She explained that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has a fundamental mandate to save lives and property through firefighting, fire prevention, rescue operations, and humanitarian services.

“The best fire incident is the one prevented,” she said.

She said the Lagos State Government had transformed the fire service from a department into a full-fledged agency to meet the state’s growing emergency-response needs.

According to her, the number of fire stations increased from 14 in 2019 to 29, extending the service’s operational reach. She added that the establishment of fire zone headquarters had strengthened coordination and service delivery across operational areas.

She also disclosed that the government had procured 62 new vehicles across different operational categories, including fire trucks, water tankers, rapid intervention vehicles, mobile maintenance vehicles, and hydraulic platforms.

She said the assets support firefighting, water supply, personnel mobilization, maintenance, and specialized operations.

However, Adeseye cautioned that equipment alone was not enough. She said effective emergency response requires trained personnel, sound procedures, clear command structures, teamwork, and the safety of both responders and the public.

In his welcome address, the founder and executive vice-chairman of Baywood Group, Mr. Chris Baywood Ibe, said fire was one disaster that no one could completely wish away because it could occur at any time.

He said preparedness must therefore remain a constant priority for individuals, businesses, and institutions.

“At CBI Media, we take this issue seriously because fire incidents can have devastating consequences when people and institutions are not prepared,” he said.

Ibe shared his personal experience of a fire incident at his home. He said he returned home at about 2 or 3 a.m. and noticed smoke billowing from the building.

He said his training in the oil and gas sector taught him not to panic during emergencies. Instead of acting hastily, he said he assessed the situation to determine the source of the fire.

He discovered that the fire started from a water heater in his room after the water dried up and the appliance began to burn. He said he was able to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher installed in the house.

“The lesson from that experience is simple: when there is a fire, do not panic or scream. Panic can make a person lose focus and take the wrong action. It is important to remain calm, assess the situation, and respond appropriately,” he said.

Ibe urged property owners to do more than merely own fire extinguishers. He said the equipment must be regularly checked to confirm that it is valid and functional.

He also advised property owners to work with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other qualified companies to validate their fire safety systems so that they are not caught unprepared during emergencies.

He said CBI Media produced the documentary to go beyond storytelling and investigate why fire incidents occur, how they happen, what can be done to prevent them, and the steps that should be taken afterwards.

“That is why we commissioned this in-depth investigation into fire incidents in Lagos and across Nigeria,” he said.