Firefighter who collapsed during rescue operation dies

Olumide Ogunnubi
| credits: Family

An official of the Lagos State Fire Service, Olumide Ogunnubi, who collapsed while rescuing a victim that drowned in a well, is dead.

PUNCH Metro had reported on May 11, that Ogunnubi, who was attached to the Ikotun Fire Station, had collapsed in a well at the Ijegun area of the state while bringing out a plumber identified as Tobi Akintoye.

Akintoye was said to be digging a well for the residents when he became suffocated and drowned.

Our correspondent reported that the 34-year-old firefighter had been let down with a rope into the well to bring out the plumber.

He was reportedly being drawn up when the rope around his waist suddenly snapped.

He was said to have fallen back into the well.

He was later rescued by other firefighters and rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

It was learnt that Ogunnubi, who joined the fire service in 2008, died from the injuries he sustained during the incident on May 12.

An official of the state fire service told PUNCH Metro that the victim was buried on Tuesday at his hometown in Ogun State.

He said, “It was very painful. This is a case of the rescuer becoming the victim. We all mourn him.”

The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, regretted the death of Ogunnubi, saying it was unprecedented.

He said the state gave him a befitting burial, adding that arrangement was being made to take care of his wife and two children.

He said “We don’t like this kind of death.

“He was a very hardworking and committed firefighter who gave his best to the agency. There was no time that he was called for rescue operation that he did not respond.

“He was an asset to us. He could drive, repair tools and was a passionate firefighter. We will do our best to ensure this kind of incident does not repeat itself.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that no fewer than 10 fire disasters were recorded in the state between Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Tuesday, an LT bus, which was loaded with 50 jerrycans of 50 litres of fuel reportedly went up in flames, destroying the vehicle.

The driver of the bus reportedly fled the scene.

It was also learnt that on Wednesday the Adekunle Police Barracks was gutted by fire.

Fadipe, while confirming the incidents said, “Our prompt response prevented the fire at the police barracks from escalating.

“Also, on Borno Crescent way in Apapa, a duplex was gutted by fire.

“An electrician had visited the house to do some fittings, which caused the fire. We acted quickly and doused the flames.

“On Sura Mogaji Street, in Ilupeju, a storey building was also consumed by fire.”

He urged residents of Lagos to be more safety conscious and quickly alert the fire service in any case of emergency.

SOURCE: PUNCH