Monday, January 26, 2026 - A major fire that gutted Parco Enterprises Nigeria Limited along Alaba Suru, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, on Saturday evening, has been linked to chemical materials stored at the facility, according to a preliminary report released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA.
The blaze, which erupted around 7:25 p.m., engulfed a
warehouse used for chemical blending and storage within an industrial cluster.
LASEMA’s report, signed by Permanent Secretary Olufemi
Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed that the fire rapidly spread over an estimated 15,000
square metres, involving highly flammable chemical materials.
“The affected facility is a warehouse and chemical blending
and storage site. The fire quickly extended across roughly 15,000 square
metres, involving stored chemical substances. The intensity of the fire
triggered intermittent explosions for several hours,” the agency said in a
statement.
The explosions caused panic among residents and posed
serious risks to neighbouring facilities within the industrial zone.
According to LASEMA, the fire was eventually brought under
control through a coordinated effort involving the LASEMA Response Unit, Lagos
State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, and private fire-fighting
resources from Veepee.
Emergency responders have remained on-site to prevent
re-ignition and protect adjacent properties.
Firefighting operations were conducted strategically from
both front and rear access points of the facility.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service led suppression
from the main entrance, while LASEMA Fire provided support from the rear,” the
statement noted.
The agency also acknowledged the contribution of beverage
company Lacasera, which assisted in replenishing water supplies to sustain
firefighting efforts.
Preliminary assessments by responders highlighted factors
that may have exacerbated the fire, including the high volume of volatile
chemicals stored in a confined space, limited ventilation within the warehouse,
and insufficient emergency preparedness measures to manage a fire of such
scale.
LASEMA emphasised that further investigations are ongoing to
determine the exact cause of the outbreak and prevent similar incidents in the
future.

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