Fire guts Customs western marine command office in Apapa

A fire outbreak on Monday damaged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command office in Apapa, Lagos, destroying property estimated at millions of naira.

The fire reportedly started at about 10:23 a.m. in the conference room following an electrical surge before spreading to other sections of the building.

Officers on duty were said to have made efforts to contain the blaze while awaiting the arrival of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire service officials arrived at about 10:45 a.m. and joined efforts to bring the situation under control.

The newly deployed Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Timothy Jonah, who had just assumed duty at the command, described the incident as unfortunate.

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Jonah said he had barely resumed his new assignment when the fire broke out.

“I just resumed duty to take over, only to witness this fire outbreak,” he said.

Despite the damage caused by the incident, the deputy comptroller said it provided an opportunity for the command to review and strengthen its operational and safety procedures.

“Every challenge, though negative, is an opportunity to strengthen our operations,” he said.

Jonah disclosed that the command would constitute a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and determine its cause.

“In the meantime, we will set up a committee to investigate the cause of the fire,” he said.

He commended the officers who responded to the emergency and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in containing the fire.

The deputy comptroller assured that the command would review its safety protocols and implement measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.