Yesterday's inferno completely razed down the station's live studio despite the timely arrival of firefighters from Lagos State Fire Service.
Though the cause of the inferno was unknown at the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses however said it started around the dome and was first sighted by journalists in the studio.
The company's Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Johnson Onime said until investigations are carried out, he would not be able to say whether the incident was an act of sabotage or due to electrical fault.
Though no life was lost, some members of staff sustained minor injuries, while trying to escape from the building. The Transmission Engineer, Mr Tunji Akinlade, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment having slumped after inhaling smoke.
The emergency medical team sent in from the state health ministry, LASAMBUS,which was led by Mrs Funlola Alese, confirmed that first aid was administered to six of the company's members of staff.
Some members of staff of the organisation were said to have battled the fire with hand-held fire extingishers before the arrival of the Lagos State Fire Service which drafted five fire fighting vehicles to combat the inferno.
It however took the firefighters about three hours to put off the fire and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the building.
The Director of the state fire service, Mr Adedayo. Aderemi Ajose, who led yesterday's operation, said the major obstacle encountered by his team was the absence of a fire exit route as fire had completety engulfed the only entrance to the section of the building gutted by fire. He said this in a way hindered them from accessing the building to promptly combat the fire.
"As you can see, we have enough vehicles here and sufficient water but the major obstacle we encountered was the absence of fire exit point. This made it difficult to gain access. We have a well equipped fire service in Lagos and gone are the days when we used to rely on Julius Berger. As I am going now, I will still leave behind two fire fighting trucks with water, he said.
To maintain law and order and prevent hoodlums from capitalising on the incident to loot, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, who led the police team to the scene, said policemen would be stationed at the premises to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Posted: at | |