A three-storey building collapsed at Ita Faaji Market in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State during a downpour. 

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said the building collapsed around 10.15 am on Thursday, February 22, 2024.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency responded to the scene of the incident and conducted a thorough assessment.

He said it was observed that the structure collapsed on its own without external factors.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the access street was very narrow and would be difficult for heavy-duty vehicular operations.

Oke-Osanyintolu recommended that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) should carry out the manual demolition of the few pillars that are still standing. 

He said the manual site clearance would be coordinated by the LASEMA Lekki branch so that the road could be free from the debris related to construction work before the collapse.

“Members of the public are being engaged in order to stay away from the incident scene,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, who also confirmed the incident in a statement said the building was under renovation before it caved in. 

She added that the construction workers escaped unhurt. 

“A three-storey building under renovation at 24, Binuyo Street off Ita Faaji Market, Lagos, collapsed during a downpour. The few artisans on site escaped unhurt,” the statement read in part.

Adeseye further disclosed that its personnel from Ebute Elefun Fire Station and other state emergency responders were at the scene of the collapse. 

The LSFRS boss noted that the supposed cause of the collapse was unknown, adding that recovery operations had since been concluded.