Fire Engulfs 14 Buildings in Lagos Market, Four Structures Collapse in a devastating fire wreaked havoc on Tuesday at Dosumu Market in Lagos Island, destroying no less than 14 buildings. Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, confirmed the incident, revealing that four of the affected buildings had collapsed at the time of reporting.

Fire destroys 14 Lagos market buildings, four structures collapse — Fire razes 14 Lagos market buildings, four structures collapse | Image Source: Punch News

Careless Generator Refuelling Sparks Blaze

Farinloye attributed the fire’s cause to the negligent refuelling of a generator in one of the buildings’ penthouses. He expressed frustration over the challenges faced by emergency responders in reaching some affected areas due to the intensity of the blaze.

Extent of Damage

The fire, which began around 10 am, originated from a three-story building on Jankara Street before spreading to adjacent structures within the market. Alongside the structural damage, goods worth millions of naira were also lost in the inferno.

“At present, four buildings have collapsed, and 14 buildings have been impacted by the fire. We encountered difficulties with water, but we managed to resolve this by reaching out to the Nigeria Port Authority.”

Response Efforts and Containment

Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, echoed NEMA’s assessment of the situation. She highlighted the dangerous combination of stored fuel products and chemical materials in the building, exacerbating the fire’s intensity.

Adeseye emphasized the successful containment of the fire by the state’s firefighting teams.

Adeseye said,

“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has successfully contained a major fire incident affecting 14 buildings, with two structures fully collapsed and two partially collapsed. The cause was traced to refuelling a generator among others, with fuel storage in kegs at the penthouse of a three-building complex housing a printing shop with chemical contents.”

She also urged caution in handling combustible materials to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Ongoing Mitigation and Public Safety Measures

Efforts to dampen the remaining hotspots were underway at the time of the report. Adeseye reassured the public of collaborative efforts among emergency responders to ensure public safety. She stressed the importance of enforcing preventive measures to avoid future calamities.

Addressing Recurring Incidents

The recent fire incident adds to a series of similar occurrences in Lagos. Previous incidents in areas like Idumota and Abule Egba have highlighted challenges such as inadequate water supply hindering firefighting efforts.

Lessons Learned

Each incident underscores the importance of preparedness and caution in handling flammable materials. Authorities continue to emphasize the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risk of future disasters.

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