By providence many workers at an ongoing building construction site in the Okota area of Ago-Palace way, Lagos State as they escaped unhurt after the partial collapse of a two-storey building in the neighourhood.
Unlike the similar incident at Ebute-Meta, also in Lagos, where several people where 10 people died last week Sunday, all the occupants of the Ago-Palace Way building reportedly vacated the premises two hours before it caved in.
Sources told Homes&property guide that the collapsed building had been showing signs of distress and possible collapse, hence the occupants rushed out of it to avoid being trapped.
The incident occurred at Chris Igadi Street in the early hours of Saturday, while emergency operations which commenced immediately, lasted daybreak.
It could not be ascertained at press time the immediate cause of the collapse.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who confirmed the incident, said no casualty was recorded.
He, however, added that the site of the collapsed structure had been cordoned off and handed over to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
According to him, “On arrival, information gathered from the residents revealed that the building gave signs several hours before it collapsed.
“Fortunately, nobody was trapped as all the occupants evacuated the area when the signs began two hours before the collapse.
“A headcount of occupants was carried out to ensure no occupants are missing and the remains of the building were cordoned off.
“The operation was concluded around 5.23 am. The site will be handed over to LABSCA and Ministry of Physical Planning for further investigation.”
Also, the incident was confirmed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Territorial Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, who said, “the two storey building partially collapsed as early at about 2. am.
“The occupants had rushed out before the collapse because the building had given signs two hours before when the incident occurred. No one was injured or any casualty recorded.”
