Fire destroys 70 shops in Lagos market

Fire destroyed at least 70 shops with goods worth several millions of naira at the Slade Market in the Shomolu area of Lagos State.

The fire, which started at 1.05am, was said to be due to a surge in voltage after power supply was restored to the area.

Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency responded to distress calls from the area at 1.05am.

“Upon arrival, we commenced fire suppression activities. The agency firefighters alongside the Lagos State and Federal Fire Services worked to complete thorough damping down exercise,” he added.

He said the initial post-disaster assessment indicated that 70 lock-up shops were affected while the extent of destroyed goods was still being assessed.

He implored residents to ensure their appliances are switched off once not in use to prevent voltage surge.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed that 70 shops were damaged in the fire outbreak.

The agency, however, said it prevented 101 shops from being razed.

Acting Head of the agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the fire was put out by firefighters from the Ilupeju and Bolade Fire stations.

She said the average land area of 1,944 square metres, accommodating 171 shops of varying sizes, already had 70 of the shops engulfed by fire by the time the firefighters arrived.

“The affected shops, which had various items, including food, gas cylinders and other perishable goods, were severely damaged by the inferno,” she stated.