One person has been confirmed dead and about 580 shops destroyed as fire gutted a five-storey plaza on Gbajumo Street, Balogun, a popular market on Lagos Island.
Daily Trust learnt that seven persons sustained injuries while four people were arrested for cashing in on the incident to loot shops.
Firefighters from two divisions of Lagos Fire Service were initially deployed to the scene to put out the fire.
The inferno was confirmed via a statement issued by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret.
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The statement read: “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a Fire outbreak at the famous Balogun Market which involved the topmost floor of a five storey building.
“The fire is however under control as mitigation are on to limits it spread. Update to follows as situation unfolds.”
In another update, the Lagos Terrorial Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire also affected an adjoining three-storey building.
He said, “The fire has been brought under total control. The building from Pent floor used as store to 5th and 4th floors have shown signs of falling due to the heat. The fire was said to have started around 1000hours.
“The fire also affected a three-storey building besides the five-storey building. The three-storey building was completely burnt down.
“About 350 shops are located on the five-storey building and the block work part of it has collapsed, left with the metal part standing. The other building has 230 shops. Altogether, 580 shops are estimated to be involved, including Union Bank.
“Also, one person was recovered dead and 7 injured. Dampening of the whole buildings is ongoing. Four persons were arrested for looting of ware.”
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