A tragic occurrence occurred in Lagos on Friday when a fire breakout burned shanties at the famed Alaba International Market in the state’s Ojo district, destroying properties worth millions of naira.
However, for unknown reasons, crowds reportedly barred firefighting personnel from entering the location to put out the fire.
Magret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the occurrence, saying;
“Report reaching Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service at about 12 noon on Friday indicates shops at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos are on fire. However, fire crew from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory duty but presently on standby. The agency is consequently collaborating with security agents to address it.”
The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be determined.
The Alaba International Market, famed for its enormous crowds and densely packed vendors, is a significant electronics and spare parts trading center in Lagos.
The catastrophe has devastated the market’s vendors and business owners, who have lost their livelihoods.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attempting to extinguish the fire and avoid more property damage with the assistance of security personnel.
The magnitude of the damage caused by the fire outbreak has yet to be determined.