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Devastating Fire Destroys Over 230 Shops in Lagos Spare Parts Market

Published by Tope Fakinlede on December 3rd, 2024.

Devastating Fire Destroys Over 230 Shops in Lagos Spare Parts Market

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that at least 230 units, including 110 shops and 120 adjacent structures, were completely destroyed in a devastating fire at a spare parts market in the Idumota area of Lagos on Saturday.

In a statement released on Monday, NEMA provided details from their post-fire assessment, which was conducted in partnership with the market’s leadership.

Earlier, FIRST CLASS GISTS reported that the blaze, which broke out on Friday night, caused millions of naira in damage. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, had also issued a statement noting that the fire affected several buildings used to house car spare parts vendors.

Upon LASEMA’s arrival at the scene around 10:55 PM on Friday, it was discovered that a number of structures had been consumed by the flames. The exact cause of the fire remained unclear at the time, but it was confirmed that substantial property, including goods and materials, were lost, amounting to a significant financial loss.

On Monday, NEMA provided an update following an on-site evaluation conducted by its Lagos Territorial Office in collaboration with the market’s chairman. The assessment confirmed the extent of the destruction, with around 110 shops and 120 related units gutted by the fire. According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around 8:25 PM on November 29, 2024.

The assessment team, led by market association chairman Mr. Okunowo Ajibola, toured the site to evaluate the damage. The report further highlighted the severe losses, including millions of naira worth of goods.

In a related incident, FIRST CLASS GISTS recalled a similar disaster at the Ladipo plank market in November 2023, where a fire ravaged at least 300 shops. Amodu Shakiru, spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire Service, had earlier clarified that the fire was not caused by an electrical surge, as no power had been supplied to the market in the hours before or after the incident.