Traders in Alaba International Market in Lagos State have been counting losses as billions of Naira worth of goods were destroyed by a fire incident that razed the popular Market located in the Ojo Local Government of of the State.
It was learnt that the fire started in the early hours of Friday from a shop where gas cylinders were kept.
The fire was said to have spread to other parts of the market.
Traders in the market had to resort to self-help methods to put out the fire before the arrival of emergency response by fire fighters.
The Lagos State Director of the Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a statement on Friday, said the incident had degenerated into a security situation as officials of the agency were unable to gain access to the market.
According to the statement, “Report reaching Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service indicates shops at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos are on fire.
“However, Fire Crew from Ojo, Sari-Iganmu and Ajegunle are being turned back by angry mobs from performing their statutory duty but presently on standby.”
Adeseye said the agency was consequently partnering with security agents to address the situation.
