Traders at Alaba International Market in the Ojo area of Lagos are still reeling from the devastating fire that ravaged a section of the market on Tuesday evening.
The fire, which gutted the furniture section, destroyed goods and properties worth billions of naira
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started in the evening and quickly spread, engulfing several shops and warehouses.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has blamed negligence on the part of some shop owners for the fire outbreak.
The service stated that the fire could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been taken ⁵.
But the traders who lost their goods and properties in the fire are still counting their losses, with many taken to social media to share their experiences and seek help.
The fire has left many traders in distress, with some weeping over their lost goods.
“I lost all my goods. I am confused right now and I don’t know what to do” one of the trader who identified himself as Timothy Okafor, said.
Another trader, James Ugochukwu, told our Correspondent that I lost well over N100 million worth of goods.
“Most of the furniture that were razed are imported furnitures. I took delivery of my goods about two weeks ago. What will do. The money is from a bank loan I recently secured” he lamented.
James who explained that he rushed to the market around 10pm when the news of the fire got to him.
He disclosed that on arrival, he met the roof of the building on fire with those who were around battling the fire.
The Alaba International Market is one of the largest markets in Lagos, with thousands of traders selling everything from electronics to furniture. The fire outbreak has raised concerns about the safety of traders and customers in the market.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with local security men attached to the market running for safety as the flames consumed goods.
“I lost everything,” said one distraught trader who identified himself as Chuks Anayo. “My entire stock, gone. I don’t know how I’ll recover from this” he said further.
Our correspondent gathered that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly to the emergency, but the fire spread because of their inability to gain access into the affected area.
It was learnt that the market was closed for the day and that most of the traders had gone home, leaving the entrance into the area under lock and key.
It was also learnt that fire service men gained access into the place around 1am, and that this accounts for why the fire quickly spread to other parts of the affected building.
Over 100 lockup shops and several stalls were completely razed down by the fire.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, but not before it had destroyed hundreds of shops and stalls.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
Maria Fadairo, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident saying that the distress call was received around 9.18am about a Fire outbreak at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Fadiaro explained that upon receiving the alert, the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.
She stated that the incident involved multiple lock-up shops of varying sizes situated within a two-storey building occupying approximately 648 square meters, within a larger market premises spanning about five hectares.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Fire originated from the topmost floor of the building shortly after electricity was restored, due to negligence on the part of some shop owners. Access to the affected areas proved challenging as most shops were closed for the day, necessitating forced entry to gain access and suppress the Fire, a delay that contributed to the spread of the flames which was however confined to the floor.
“The affected shops were primarily involved in the sale of furniture items and alternative power equipment with a law office. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded. Firefighting operations were successfully concluded at 10pm with the complement efforts of personnel from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Ojo Police Division.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, has commended the collaborative response of all agencies involved and reiterated the need for the public to strictly adhere to fire safety precautions, particularly in commercial areas, to prevent avoidable fire incidents.
