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No Casualty Recorded in Alaba Market Fire – Fire Service Confirms
A section of the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos was engulfed by fire on Tuesday evening, destroying properties worth millions of naira. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that no casualties or injuries were recorded.
Alaba International Market, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, is one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs, attracting thousands of traders and shoppers daily. It is known for electronics, furniture, and building materials.
According to the fire service, the inferno started around 7:18 p.m. at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers restaurant, in Ojo Local Government Area.
In a statement titled “Lagos Fire Contains Incident at Alaba International Market,” the Senior Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Maria Fadairo, said:
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service received a distress call at 19:18 hours today reporting a fire outbreak at 155 Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State. Upon receiving the alert, the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.”
The fire affected multiple lock-up shops in a two-storey building occupying approximately 648 square meters within a larger five-hectare market complex. Preliminary investigation revealed that the blaze started on the topmost floor shortly after electricity supply was restored.
“It was due to negligence on the part of some shop owners,” Fadairo noted.
She further explained that access to the affected shops was difficult because most units were closed, causing a delay in firefighting efforts.
“Access to the affected areas proved challenging as most shops were closed for the day, necessitating forced entry to gain access and suppress the fire, a delay that contributed to the spread of the flames which was, however, confined to the floor.”
Shops affected were said to contain furniture, generators, and a law office.
The spokesperson confirmed: “No casualties or injuries were recorded.”
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, commended the swift coordination of emergency responders and urged traders to prioritize safety.
She appealed to market operators to adhere to fire safety regulations, especially in crowded commercial areas.
Tuesday’s incident adds to a worrying trend of market fires in Lagos this year. In September, a section of Ladipo Spare Parts Market was destroyed by fire. Earlier incidents were also recorded at Dosunmu Market, Balogun Market, and Mandilas Building.
Fire officials have consistently linked these outbreaks to electrical faults, careless handling of generators, and poor safety practices.
