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A section of the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos was on Tuesday evening engulfed by a raging fire that destroyed several shops and properties worth millions of naira.
The Alaba International Market, situated along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, is regarded as one of the largest commercial hubs in West Africa, bustling with traders dealing in electronics, furniture, and building materials.
The market attracts thousands of shoppers daily and serves as a major economic lifeline for many residents and importers across the region.
Footage obtained by The PUNCH from officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service showed debris and charred remnants of what were once bustling shops and showrooms.
Confirming the incident in a statement titled “Lagos Fire Contains Incident at Alaba International Market,” the Senior Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Maria Fadairo, said the fire started in a residence opposite a popular eatery in Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, at about 7:18 p.m.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service received a distress call at 19:18 hours today reporting a fire outbreak at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State.
“Upon receiving the alert, the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.”
She explained that the inferno affected “multiple lock-up shops of varying sizes situated within a two-storey building occupying approximately 648 square meters, within a larger market premises spanning about five hectares.”
Preliminary investigations, she added, revealed that the fire originated from the topmost floor of the building shortly after power was restored.
“It was due to negligence on the part of some shop owners,” she said.
“Access to the affected areas proved challenging as most shops were closed for the day, necessitating forced entry to gain access and suppress the fire—a delay that contributed to the spread of the flames which was, however, confined to the floor.”
While noting that the affected shops mainly dealt in furniture items, alternative power equipment, and had a law office, the fire service image maker stressed that “no casualties or injuries were recorded.”
Meanwhile, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, has commended the swift response of all emergency agencies.
Adeseye also urged traders and residents to maintain strict fire safety measures, particularly in crowded commercial areas.
Tuesday’s incident adds to a disturbing string of market fires recorded in Lagos this year.
In September, a section of the Ladipo Spare Parts Market was gutted by fire, destroying auto parts shops and warehouses.
Earlier in August, the Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island also went up in flames, while similar outbreaks were reported at Balogun Market and Mandilas Building earlier in the year.
Fire officials have repeatedly warned that many of these incidents were linked to electrical faults, careless handling of generators, and lack of adherence to safety standards in congested trading complexes.
