Makoko Fire Leaves Residents Homeless as Victims Seek Urgent Assistance -

Residents of Makoko, Lagos State, have appealed to the government, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians for urgent assistance after a fire outbreak destroyed several homes and properties in the community.

The fire reportedly broke out in the Apolo area of Makoko following a gas cylinder explosion while a resident was cooking.

Several families were displaced, while residents lost their belongings, business items and valuables in the inferno. Some people also sustained injuries while trying to escape the flames.

One of the victims, Francis Wobe, said he lost his tools and other belongings, adding that many residents were unable to salvage anything from their apartments.

Another victim, David Ikechukwu, disclosed that he lost 60 pairs of Crocs footwear stocked for his business, while another resident reportedly lost ₦700,000 in cash. He also sustained injuries while fleeing the fire.

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Similarly, Omobowadun Iyamore recounted how she woke up to the flames and rushed to rescue her father, who is a stroke patient, before returning to save her children. She said she lost everything in her apartment and was left with only the clothes she was wearing.

The victims appealed to the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders to provide food, clothing, shelter and financial support to help them recover from the disaster.

Meanwhile, Olatunji Sanni, a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, who visited the affected community, pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to secure relief materials for the victims.

He also called for improved infrastructure and a comprehensive plan to prevent similar incidents, stressing the need for coordinated intervention by the local, state and federal governments.

Sanni described the incident as both a humanitarian and economic crisis, urging individuals and organisations to support the affected families as they struggle to rebuild their lives.