Fire razess 48 shops in Lagos market

A total of 48 shops were lost in a fire that severely damaged the Elegushi Model Market complex located in the Lekki area of Lagos State on Sunday morning.

Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), made this announcement in a statement, indicating that the agency received an emergency call around 2 a.m.

Upon their arrival at the site, emergency personnel discovered that the market complex was already consumed by flames; however, prompt action was taken to control the fire and mitigate additional destruction.

Oke-Osanyintolu noted that initial investigations indicated that the fire originated from a temporary stall within the market before it spread to the main structure.

“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the makeshift stalls within the compound of the market and quickly escalated to the main building. The cause of the fire was not known at the time of this report,” he said.

Ads by
He added that no life was lost and no injuries were recorded during the incident.

“No life was lost, and no injuries were sustained as a result of the incident. Collaborative efforts by all stakeholders ensured coordinated firefighting to completely extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings,” the LASEMA boss stated.

He, however, noted that a post-disaster assessment confirmed that 48 shops were affected by the fire.

Oke-Osanyintolu further disclosed that traders were sensitised on fire prevention and management strategies to forestall future occurrences.

“Forty-eight shops were affected by the fire. The market union executives were advised to place fire extinguishers in strategic locations to enable them to arrest or control minor fires before they escalate and spread.

“Shop owners were also advised to be more conscious of fire outbreaks and fire prevention measures. Smoke detectors and fire alarms are to be installed within the premises,” he concluded.