The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, has appealed to the public, particularly motorists, to desist from indiscriminate storage of premium motor spirit (petrol) in view of the current fuel scarcity.
The appeal, she said, became necessary, considering the rate of fire incidents recorded in recent time.
Adeseye said the agency recorded 249 emergency calls between January and February, adding that the development was putting undue pressure on the agency.
She said since the beginning of fuel scarcity, some people had devised illegal means of storing the petroleum product, including in inappropriate places.
This practice, according to her, was responsible for the increase in the number of outbreaks.
“I am bothered by this figure despite the huge resources already committed to enlightenment campaign,” she said.
She described the current fuel scarcity as regrettable, noting that it should not be an excuse for illegitimate and inappropriate storage of fuel to the detriment of human lives and avoidable loss of properties.
Adeseye warned the public to avoid using jerry cans that had been used for petrol to store kerosene and any other flammable liquids.
Motorists, especially commercial drivers, she said, should not store petrol in their boots.