Fire Outbreak Destroys Lagos Market Shops
By Wolimoh Abdulmateen
No fewer than 48 shops were destroyed in an early morning fire that gutted the Elegushi Model Market complex in the Lekki area of Lagos state.The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress call at about 2 a.m. and promptly deployed emergency personnel to the scene. When responders arrived, the market was already engulfed in flames, though swift intervention helped to limit the extent of the damage.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said coordinated efforts by firefighters and other stakeholders ensured the fire was brought under control and prevented from spreading to nearby buildings. Preliminary findings revealed that the blaze originated from a makeshift stall inside the market before spreading to the main structure. He added that the exact cause of the fire had not been established as of the time of reporting.
No casualties were recorded, as no lives were lost and no injuries were sustained during the incident. A post-disaster assessment later confirmed that 48 shops were affected by the fire. Following the incident, traders and market leaders were sensitised on fire prevention and management strategies. They were advised to install fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and alarm systems in strategic locations to help detect and control any future fire outbreaks early.