Another building collapses in Lagos

Another building has collapsed in Lagos Island part of Lagos State.

The two-storey building collapsed at about 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

The incident occurred at Number 50, Kakawa Street, off Odunlami Street, CMS in Lagos Island.

CAMPUS REPORTER gathered that collapsed building is one of those marked for demolition by Lagos State Government.

“The building has been renovated several times after the owners realised its incurable faults,” a witness, who identified himself as Mathias, told CAMPUS REPORTER.

No casualty has been recorded as at the time of filing this report.

A three-storey building housing a children’s school collapsed at Massey Street, Lagos Island, earlier in the month, killing more than 20 people.

Following the incident, the Lagos State Building Control Agency marked over 100 houses for demolition in the area.

‘Marked for demolition?’

The current building that collapsed is one of those reportedly marked for demolition. Nobody was trapped in it as occupants had vacated following the state government instruction, CAMPUS REPORTER learnt from residents of the area.

“The building that collapsed has been renovated several times after the owners realised its ‘incurable’ faults,” a witness who simply identified himself as Mathias told CAMPUS REPORTER. “The collapsed building affected other houses because of the tight fitting of the buildings around.”

The spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, also confirmed the incident to our correspondent in a telephone interview Monday afternoon.

But Mr Farinloye said while the Lagos State Building Control Agency is directly responsible for the demolition of distressed houses in Lagos Island, the collapsed building was not marked for demolition.

Rather, it was undergoing a renovation by the owners of the house, he said.

He also said no casualty was recorded and there is no one trapped in the building.

Kehinde Adebayo, the spokesperson for Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said he has no information regarding the collapse and that when he does, “he will pass the information to appropriate quarters”.