Generator fire kills Lagos ex-councillor

Tragedy struck in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos last Friday when a former Supervisory Councillor in the Kosofe Local Government Area, Olu Ogunbanjo, died from a generator fire which razed his music shop.

51-year-old Ogunbanjo, who served in the LGA between 2003 and 2007, died at the General Hospital, Gbagada, from the burns sustained during the incident.

Our correspondent gathered that at about 5pm on Friday, Ogunbanjo, who was also a member of the Music Advertisement Association, was in his shop on Olabode Aluko Street in the Oworonshoki area.

It was learnt that Ogunbanjo later put on the generator, but there was a spark which led to the fire.

The fire was said to have burnt the ex-councillor in the arms and thighs, after which his workers reportedly rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Our correspondent learnt that the matter was reported at the Oworonshoki Police Division, while men of the state fire service were contacted. It was the firefighters that put out the fire.

The fire was said to have razed items in the shop, such as audio tapes and DVDs. The former councillor, who was transferred to the general hospital, however, died in the evening.

One of the shop owners, who identified himself only as Tajudeen, said the councillor’s death was shocking.

He said, “I was still with the honourable (Ogunbanjo) on Thursday and we played draft. He was relaxing inside the shop until he felt like putting on the generator. There was a spark which led to the fire, and the fire affected his arms and thighs.

“But no one expected him to die. We were shocked to learn he has passed on. His workers usually sold cassettes, tapes and cut people’s hair in the shop. He was a good man.”

Another shop owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the shop had yet to be opened for business since Friday.

At Ogunbanjo’s apartment on Ojileru Street, a crowd of sympathisers were seen comforting the wife and the children.

One of the relations, identified only as Victor, said that the former councillor was still in the mortuary, adding that he would be buried on Thursday (yesterday).

He said, “We are taking him to the Mowe, Ibafo area tomorrow (Thursday) for burial. He battled for survival at the hospital, but he did not make it.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the fire incident, adding that the police did not suspect arson.

She said, “A distress call was received on the said day, and the police moved to the scene to prevent hoodlums from taking an advantage of the unfortunate situation.

“The councilor sustained injuries in the fire and was rushed to a general hospital, where he died. Arson is not suspected.”

Punch