A plank market at Okobaba in the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos has been gutted by fire, with several shops affected.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the state fire service, among others are currently battling to put out the fire.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency was having difficulty responding to the incident because of hoodlums.
“The agency’s fire unit has responded to the above incident and is currently working to control the fire alongside Lagos Fire and Federal Fire Services.
“The agency has made a request for security cover as hoodlums and miscreants are hampering the efforts of the joint responders,” he said.
The state fire service also confirmed the incident in a brief statement.
“There is ongoing firefighting operations on Kadara Street, Oko Baba Saw Mill, Ebute Meta. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and emergency responders are collaborating in putting it out, details later please,” the statement reads.
A number of fire outbreak have been recorded in the sawmill in recent years.
