.destroys, 11 shops, properties worth millions of naira

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Tragedy struck late Tuesday evening, as fire gutted the popular Alayabiagba Boundary Market, Ajegunle, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, destroying properties worth millions of naira in the process.

According to an eyewitness, Julius Akpor, the incident occurred at about 9.30pm, without any loss of life as people scampered to safety.

Quick intervention by Emergency responders, such as; Both Federal and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Nigeria Police, quickly put out the raging fire.

Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, and Director, Lagos Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that no life was lost in the unfortunate incident.

The cause of the fire which destroyed at least 11 shops, with property worth millions of naira, it was gathered started from a gas shop as a result of leakage from filled cylinders.

According to Oke-Osanyitolu, “Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was observed that some shops at the Alayabiagba Market were gutted by fire.

“Investigations conducted revealed that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored, as a result of gas leakage from one of the filled cylinders before spreading to other shops in the aforementioned location.

“Collaborative efforts of the cobra team with the fire men at the scene has contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

“A total of 11 shops were affected with two shops of gas retailer, including nine others selling clothes, phones, PVC pipes, daily needs among others.
Properties worth millions of naira were lost to the inferno.

“However, the fire has been curtailed and brought under control and rescue operation concluded.”