62 shops affected in Lagos market fire

No fewer than 14 shops were completely destroyed in a fire at Ijesa Market in Surulere Lagos.

The Saturday night fire also partially burnt 48 shops and destroyed adjoining residential house with 24 rooms.

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The fire incident which started around 5pm on Saturday raged for more than four hours, it was learnt.

62 traders and about 28 households were all affected, it was learnt.

Though no life was lost or injury sustained, emergency authorities confirmed that the fire started from a room converted to a shop.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Federal and State fire services were able to jointly put out the fire.

NEMA Coordinator for Lagos Territorial Office, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire started through the gas cylinder being used to cook.

“Although no life was lost or injury sustained, immense properties were lost,” he said.

He explained that the responders faced challenges of lack of water supply nearby, adding that five fire tankers from Federal, State and LRU had to go some Kilometres away from the scene to source water.

The Ag. Head, Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.

She urged Lagosians to remain cautious with the use of electrical gadgets and ensure qualified electrical engineers are engaged to fix faults to forestall such occurrences in future.

Similarly, NEMA urged Nigerians to take utmost care and be safety conscious in handling management of fire at this season of the year.

“We must avoid unsafe practices when handling naked or any inflammable material,” he said.