50 Lockup Shops, Three Buildings Burnt In Lagos Market

An early morning inferno on Monday gutted about 50 lockup shops and three buildings; destroying properties and goods worth millions of naira at the extension of the popular Balogun Market, Lagos Island.

The fire, which started at about 4.36am, was said to have been caused by a power surge after an electrical spark emanated from a transformer, which later spread to an electricity generator.

Although no casualty was recorded, the fire which has been put out as at press time, was said to have been exacerbated by the harmattan season, the flames licking up everything on its path.

Also hampering the salvage operation was the haphazard manner the shops were built, making it difficult for the fire fighters to have access to the affected buildings, which were stocked with goods like bags, shoes, cloths and groceries.

The inferno, which started from the market extension, almost spread to other parts before it was eventually contained by a combined team of fire service men drawn from both Federal and State Fire Service.