Lagos two-storey building under construction collapses

A two-storey building under construction at 3, Craig Street, off Apata Road, in the Shomolu area of Lagos has collapsed.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday during the decking phase of the construction process, but no casualties or injuries were recorded.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said in a statement that the building was one of two structures being developed on the site.

“No life was lost and no injuries recorded as the workers reportedly escaped the scene unscathed before the arrival of emergency responders,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Cobra response team revealed that the collapsed structure was one of two structures being constructed at the site,” he added.

The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, as investigations are still ongoing.

However, emergency officials confirmed that construction workers on site managed to flee the area before the building gave way.

The collapse also impacted a nearby church, RCCG Liberty Parish, located at 5, Craig Street.

Pillars from the failed structure fell onto the church, causing partial damage.

Despite this, all worshippers in the building at the time escaped unscathed.

Response teams from multiple agencies, including LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Shomolu Local Government, and the Nigeria Police Force, were promptly deployed in the scene.

LASBCA said the building will be sealed up pursuant to the state regional planning law.

“Take Note that the structure at the above address shall be sealed up pursuant to the provision of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development (Amendment) Law 2019 upon the expiration of two days.

“Take Note that any forceful entry shall attract the relevant penalties as prescribed under the law,” the agency said.

This collapse comes about three weeks after three people died at the site of a building collapse that occurred at Otta Ona Junction, near the Mobil Filling Station bus stop, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

Also in May, a storey building located in the Idi-Araba area of Mushin collapsed, trapping an unspecified number of people beneath the rubble.

At least seven lost their lives while 13 were rescued after a three-storey building collapsed at 9 and 10 Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos in April.

. THE WHISTLER