Panic as fire guts section of Oba Akiolu’s palace

..It’s a minor incident—NEMA
By Evelyn Usman & Monsur Olowoopejo

There was panic, yesterday, at the Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, following a fire outbreak that affected a section of the structure. At press time, details of its cause were still scanty. But Vanguard gathered that it was caused by a faulty air conditioning unit at 1.30p.m. Information at Vanguard’s disposal has it that smoke was sighted billowing from the roof of a section of a storey building which served as the monarch’s apartment. An alarm, which alerted palace guards, was raised and efforts were made to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections. Everyone in the palace was reportedly conducted to safer places until the arrival of fire service men. Oba Akiolu The fire reportedly affected a section of the sitting room, destroying furniture and some of the monarch’s traditional regalia.

A resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Vanguard: “All was going on smoothly as usual, when we noticed an unusual movements which indicated that all was not well. The men and women, who usually entertained visitors with songs at the palace rushed out. “Out of curiosity, some boys went towards the palace and raised the alarm that the place was on fire. Vehicles in the premises were driven out to safer places. “Traders around the area were also on standby to take their wares to safer places should the fire spread beyond the palace. Almost immediately, some fire service trucks arrived the premises. News later went round that the fire had been put out.” When Vanguard visited the palace, residents were sighted in groups giving different accounts on the possible cause of the inferno.

A close source to the palace, who expressed gratitude to God that the fire did not engulf the entire palace, said they were gripped with fear when the incident happened, adding that the incident distorted activities lined up for the day.

 Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, was at the palace to access the level of damage. At 6p.m., an unruffled Oba Akiolu was sighted driving out of his palace in his black SUV. Contacted, South-West spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, described the incident as a minor one. He said officials of the Federal and State Fire services brought the situation under control immediately they arrived the palace, adding “the fire was contained within a few minutes. There was no injury or casualty recorded.” Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/panic-fire-guts-section-oba-akiolus-palace/