Traders count their loses as fire ravage market in Lagos
Traders at Martins Street in the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island are counting their losses following a fire outbreak which affected seven buildings, with goods worth millions of naira destroyed.
Daily Times gathered that the fire which started at about 9a.m on Wednesday was allegedly caused by a shop owner who had attempted to pour petrol into his generator, which immediately exploded, causing the inferno.
While traders were seen running helter skelter to evacuate their goods, they were also pleading that fire service officials on ground and other emergency responders do all within their powers to put out the fire.
A trader who was in tears when the correspondent approached him, said this was the second time the building (Alloy Plaza) where the fire started was being engulfed by fire.
The trader, who gave his name simply as Ikenna, said he has lost all in the inferno, adding that “I sell female jean trousers at Alloy Plaza and I have being the business for over six years. This fire has made me lose all I have ever worked for. I was still at home this morning when my sale attendant called me to inform me of the fire.
“Before I could get here, the fire has destroyed all my goods. I was not able to pick anything. Even when I attempted to rush into the building to see if I can get anything, the policemen on ground stopped me; asking me if I wanted to lose my life. I am finished, where do I start from.”
Another trader, who gave her name as Mrs. Chinaza said she is yet to understand why men of the fire service did not answer their emergency calls on time.
She said: “The fire service operatives did not get here on time. They only arrived here when the fire has ravaged everything. If they had gotten here earlier, perhaps things would have been different.
Speaking on the extent of fire, the Director – General and of the Lagos state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said: “ Upon arrival of the response team to the scene of incident it was revealed that about four- storey buildings was engulfed by inferno which was escalating to adjoining buildings.
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“However, no life was lost upon arrival as the emergency responders (Lasema Sharks, Lagos state Fire, Federal Fire, Nigeria Ports Authority Fire Lasambus, Nigeria Police Force) are combating the inferno to salvage the situation.
“The four- storey building located at 35/37 Martins, where the fire started from has collapsed. A five- five storey building located next has also begun burning as well as a 10- storey building. In all, seven buildings are presently on fire on Martins Street, Balogun Market.”
