One, killed, seven injured, 580 shops burnt in Lagos market fire

One person was killed while seven others were injured after an early morning fire gutted two plazas at the Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on Tuesday.

The plazas, located at Gbajumo and Balogun streets, were said to have 580 shops, most of which burnt in the blaze that started around 10am.

It was learnt that the fire broke out at the penthouse of the five-storey building which the traders used as storehouse for their generators, other items and razed the third, fourth and fifth floors.

The fire was said to have extended to an adjoining three-storey building, completely burning the plaza.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the fatality and injured persons were recovered, evacuated by the medical team, while four persons who were alleged to have been looting wares were arrested by the police.

Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Lagos Office Coordinator, said the fire led to the partial collapse of the five storey-building.

He said: “In all, 580 shops including Union Bank are estimated to have been affected by the fire. The fire has been brought under control.

“One person was recovered dead and seven injured. Four were arrested for looting wares. Dampening of the whole buildings are ongoing,” said Farinloye.

But the Lagos state Fire Service, in a statement, said no death was recorded, adding that five persons sustained minor injuries.

The agency’s director, Margaret Adeseye, said the fire affected 32 and 34 Balogun street, adding that it was stopped from spreading to other buildings.

“The scenario which involved combustible female shoes and sandals was agog with traders salvaging their wares and bystanders trying to catch the glimpse,” she said.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said rescuers faced crowd control challenges.

In a similar vein, a branch of First Bank Plc located at Ahiara Junction in Mbaise, Imo State, was on fire yesterday.

It was gathered that the fire which started from a petroleum refilling station nearby destroyed assets worth millions of Naira at the bank.

An eyewitness said that the bank’s building and assets including cash were destroyed in the fire that took the firefighters from Owerri several hours to bring under control.

The source said that the inferno which started at about noon caused pandemonium in the area as people scampered for safety.

The source said, “The inferno started from a nearby fuel station and spread to the First bank building and destroyed it. Assets worth millions of Naira were lost.”

Police spokesman Henry Okoyo confirmed the incident, saying it took firefighters from Owerri and community efforts to quench the blaze.