A devastating fire broke out at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) office located near Cappa Bus Stop in Oshodi, Lagos, around midnight on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. The inferno continued to rage into the early hours of Boxing Day, prompting a swift response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA).
Eyewitnesses reported harrowing scenes as flames engulfed the building, causing extensive property damage estimated to be worth millions of naira. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as emergency responders worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures.
As of 5 a.m. on December 26, firefighting efforts were still ongoing, with teams battling to extinguish the flames that had severely crippled the institute's operations. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and investigations are currently underway to determine how this unfortunate incident occurred.
The FIIRO office serves as a crucial hub for industrial research and development in Nigeria, housing essential facilities and documents vital for the institute's functions. The loss incurred from this fire poses significant challenges to ongoing research initiatives and projects.