A devastating fire outbreak has razed through a bustling market in Lagos, destroying at least 200 shops and leaving one person injured, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed. The incident, which occurred late on Thursday night, sparked panic among traders and residents as thick smoke and flames engulfed the market.
According to reports, the inferno spread rapidly, fueled by the highly flammable materials stored in several of the shops. Many traders, who had closed for the day, returned in shock to find their livelihoods consumed by the raging fire. The injured victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel are currently attending to his condition.
NEMA’s Southwest Zonal Office disclosed that emergency responders, including firefighters and security agencies, were deployed to the scene in an effort to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby residential areas. Despite their swift intervention, the extent of the damage was massive, with charred remains of goods and structures scattered across the market.
Eyewitnesses recounted how traders and residents scrambled to salvage whatever goods they could before the fire intensified. Many, however, were left helpless as the flames overpowered efforts to rescue merchandise. The market, a major hub for small and medium-scale businesses, now lies in ruins, leaving hundreds of traders counting their losses.
While the cause of the fire has not been officially established, NEMA confirmed that investigations are underway to determine what triggered the incident. Officials have also promised to work with local authorities to assess the full scale of the damage and provide relief to affected traders.
This is not the first time Lagos markets have witnessed such tragedies, as repeated cases of fire outbreaks have continued to threaten businesses and livelihoods in the state. Stakeholders have once again called for stricter safety measures, including the provision of fire extinguishers, improved electrical standards, and better emergency response infrastructure to prevent future disasters.
As the affected traders begin to reckon with their losses, calls have also intensified for the Lagos State Government to step in with immediate assistance and long-term support to help victims rebuild their businesses and restore economic activity in the area.
