THE Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed a fire outbreak at the popular Alaba International Market, situated in the Ojo area of the state.
The director of the service, Margaret Adeseye, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Friday, May 5, said the fire impacted makeshift stalls within the market, commonly referred to as shanties.
Adeseye said efforts by firefighters to contain the inferno were resisted by some irate youths around the market.
According to her, “The fire crew from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory duty but are presently on standby.”
She added that the agency is collaborating with security agents to address the situation.
Adeyeye also disclosed that shops in the market were not affected by the fire outbreak.
“It is instructive to confirm that shanties and not shops are on fire, please,” she added.
Lagos, a densely populated city, has experienced many fire outbreaks that resulted in loss of lives and property.
In 2019, a fire outbreak occurred at the popular Balogun market on Lagos Island, which is known for huge volumes of sale of textile and fashion items. The inferno destroyed many shops and goods worth millions of naira.
Similarly, in 2020, a fire outbreak was recorded at the popular Abule-Egba pipeline area of Lagos, which led to the loss of lives and property.
In March, fire gutted a spare parts market in the Ajegunle area of Lagos state, destroying items worth millions on naira.
The cause of these fire incidents has often been attributed to factors like power surge, poor safety measures, inadequate fire-fighting equipment, and poor infrastructure.
Last month, a fire incident was reported at Queens College, in the Onike area of the state.
No casualty was recorded in the incident as men of the state fire service quickly put out the fire.
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Are such people truly angry mobs? What made them angry? Could the Police not have been supportive at that point?