- one of the largest trading centres in West Africa
- The affected shops included those dealing in furniture
- Similar outbreaks have occurred this year at Ladipo
Fire tore through part of the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos on Tuesday evening, destroying several shops and valuables worth millions of naira.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Alaba Market, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, is one of the largest trading centres in West Africa, known for its vibrant electronics, furniture, and building materials businesses.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Lassa Fever Kills 172 in Nigeria, NCDC Confirms 924 Cases Across 21 States
- INEC Chairman Amupitan To Resume Next Week Ahead of Anambra Poll
- Fire Outbreak Destroys Shops at Alaba Market In Lagos
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident began around 7:18 p.m. at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, in Ojo Local Government Area.
The fire reportedly started on the top floor of a two-storey building shortly after power was restored. Preliminary investigations suggested negligence by some shop owners may have caused the outbreak.
Covering roughly 648 square meters within a larger five-hectare market complex, the building housed multiple lock-up shops. Firefighters faced difficulty accessing the affected areas due to shops being locked after business hours, which contributed to the spread of the flames. However, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Emergency response units from Ojo and Ijegun-Egba fire stations managed to contain the blaze to the upper floor. The affected shops included those dealing in furniture, alternative power equipment, and legal services.
Lagos Fire Service Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, commended the swift action of the emergency teams and appealed to traders to adopt fire safety practices, especially in densely populated markets.
This incident is the latest in a worrying trend of market fires in Lagos. Similar outbreaks have occurred this year at Ladipo, Balogun, Dosunmu, and Mandilas markets, with many traced to electrical faults and lax safety standards.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of improved compliance with fire safety measures to prevent future disasters in commercial centres.
FURTHER READING
