The Lagos State dump site located at Ojota, popularly known as Olusosun Dump Site was engulfed by fire for the second time.
The fire which stated in the morning came as a surprise to the neighborhood, because the first incident was claimed to be a mistake from the Government. Little did we know that this fire was heading for a mass pollution and destruction.
According to our Correspondent at the scene, smoke was noticed coming from the dump site after which the root of the smoke became visible and it was a huge fire outbreak. The fire ran through the dump site and extends it’s burning capacity to a mechanic village nearby, destroying properties at sight.
A woman who sells food was busy relocating her food when the smoke became unbearable, thankfully for a customer who asked after her and she was rescued from the fire.
Another spare part seller who just returned from the major part market with her goods, lost all in the fire.
Men became babies as they were seen crying for the loss incurred due to the fire, most importantly cars that belongs to customers who came for repairs.
After several calls, the people of the Lagos State Emergency and Management Agency came to the scene to investigate the fire and later called for fire service to the rescue.
It became a case of debate on where the fire fighters are to position themselves in order to attack the fire, because the fire had ran through the fence and started penetrating into the Daystar Christian Centre building close to the dump site.
The workers at the Mechanic Village protested that the fire service should begin their operations from their workshop so the damages to the cars would reduce, at same time the staff of Daystar Christian Centre were of the opinion that the fire service starts from their building where the fire has gotten entrance, in order to prevent further damages.
The men of the Fire Service began the fight against the fire from the Daystar Christian Centre compound, reducing the amount of damages to their facilities.
In an interview with some Mechanics at the village, a young man who choose to be anonymous said the men of the Lagos State Police force started the fire in order for them at the village to vacant the place. He further said the village was closed for two weeks due to the State Government wanting them to leave the place, that the village was opened few days ago and this fire started today.
Our Correspondent tried to confirm the accusations by asking the Commander of the Rapid Response Square (RRS) Mr Tunji Disu, responding to the accusations, the RRS Commander said it’s not possible for a Police officer to ignite fire on a dump site.
He added that the police presence seen at the dump site before the incident was as a result of miscreant who were seen on the dump site and beliefs that those miscreants must have ignited the fire on the site.
No life was lost at the incident, while some of the miscreants were arrested by the Lagos State Police Force.
Hopefully the Lagos State Government will compensate for the damages incured at the Mechanic Village and Daystar Christian Centre.