Another fire incident has occurred in Lagos, just two days after a market on Lagos Island was gutted by fire, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The Olowu Automobile Spare Parts Market, Ikeja, Lagos, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Thursday, destroying properties and goods worth millions of naira.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, according to the Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident. The Chairman of the traders association in the market, Bassey Ikpendu, praised the State Fire Service for their swift response, which prevented the escalation of the incident.
The fire disaster affected 13 shops, 4 warehouses, and one restaurant. The traders association confirmed that no injury or death was recorded in the incident. According to Farinloye, the Chairman of the traders association disclosed that one of their apprentices noticed the fire and immediately contacted the fire service, who responded promptly.
The Commandant 9th Brigade, Ikeja, also visited the scene while the NEMA team was on assessment. Investigation into the cause of the fire outbreak is ongoing. The incident underscores the need for traders to take necessary precautions to prevent fire outbreaks, especially in markets where combustible materials are often stored.
The Olowu Automobile Spare Parts Market fire incident is another reminder of the need for adequate fire safety measures in Lagos markets. Traders and market managers should prioritize fire safety to prevent loss of lives and properties. It is also important for relevant authorities to ensure that markets have functional fire service stations and easy access to water supply
