No fewer than 48 shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak that swept through the Elegushi Model Market in the Lekki area of Lagos State in the early hours of Sunday.

The fire, which broke out around 2:00 a.m., engulfed a large section of the market before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the agency received a distress call shortly after the fire started.

According to him, LASEMA officials and other emergency responders quickly mobilised to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

Fire Origin and Emergency Response

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire started from a makeshift stall within the market complex before spreading rapidly to the main market building.

Oke-Osanyintolu explained that while the exact cause of the fire had not been established at the time of reporting, swift intervention by emergency teams helped to bring the situation under control.

“No life was lost and no injuries were recorded,” he said, adding that coordinated firefighting efforts prevented further destruction.

Extent of Damage

A post-incident assessment revealed that 48 shops were affected, leaving several traders with significant losses.

Following the incident, market leaders and traders were sensitised on fire prevention and safety measures, including the need for improved fire management systems within the market.

Safety Advisory to Traders

The LASEMA boss advised the market union to install fire extinguishers at strategic points, alongside smoke detectors and fire alarm systems, to enable early detection and quick response to future incidents.

Shop owners were also urged to be more cautious with electrical connections and other fire hazards, particularly in overcrowded market environments.

Fire outbreaks remain a recurring challenge in many Lagos markets, often linked to poor safety practices, makeshift structures, and inadequate fire prevention infrastructure.

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