Lagos Starts Safe Demolition of Fire‑Damaged Martins Street Building

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has begun a controlled demolition of a fire‑damaged building on Martins Street, Lagos Island. Permanent Secretary Dr Olufemi Oke‑Osanyintolu said the operation follows a comprehensive structural assessment and adheres to international best practices for urban safety and public‑health protection.

The area around the building has been declared hazardous and restricted. Traders, residents and the public have been instructed to keep a safe distance, with all nearby commercial activities suspended. The site is barricaded, security personnel are deployed, and dust‑suppression, traffic and pedestrian‑management plans are in place. The demolition contractor will conduct a final structural assessment, and all workers must wear appropriate PPE while operating certified equipment. Emergency responders, including fire, ambulance and first‑aid services, remain on standby, and the team is coordinated with the Building Control Agency, police, traffic authority and neighbourhood safety corps.