News
6,700 Traders Count Losses After Fire Rages Through Mandilas Building
EKO HOT BLOG reports in a devastating incident on Sunday, the iconic Mandilas building on Broad Street, Lagos Island, succumbed to a massive fire, causing immeasurable losses to traders and businesses within.
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According to Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos State Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), approximately 6,700 traders bore the brunt of this tragic event.
The fire, which originated on the first floor of the 14-storey building, quickly spread, consuming 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels, and five restaurants.
Farinloye stated that the impact was substantial, affecting not only the main complex but also the surrounding market stalls at the Atunwase International Market.
“The impacted traders are estimated to accommodate about 6,700 traders, 450 shops, 30 offices, two hotels, and five restaurants,” explained Alhaja Adeniji Rashidat, the Iya Oja of the Atunwase International Market Mandilas General, during her briefing to assessors.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service attributed the fire to careless welding during the installation of a power generator on the second floor of the building.
The fire, beginning at 0011 hours, quickly progressed from the first floor to the seventh floor.
While emergency responders, including the Lagos Fire Service, Police, Lagos State Building Control Agency, and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, worked to control the situation and secure the area, affected traders expressed their profound grief and financial setbacks.
Sewa, a trader, shared her devastation, stating, “I sell clothes in this building, and my goods were affected. I can’t even quantify the loss that I have incurred from this incident. I am devastated at this moment.”
Another unnamed trader pointed out a significant challenge faced during the firefighting efforts. “The fire service came, but they could not access the main area where the fire was at its highest because the road leading to the spot where the fire started was narrow,” the trader explained.
One affected trader, Agu, reportedly lost goods worth almost a billion naira, encompassing an entire floor in the building.
Badmus, another trader, disclosed through a WhatsApp status that he lost goods estimated at N200 million, including over 7,000 shoes.
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As the affected traders grapple with the aftermath, the tragic incident has sparked discussions about the need for improved safety measures and emergency response capabilities to prevent such devastating occurrences in the future.
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