Goods destroyed as fire guts Lagos plank market

An early morning fire that occurred in the Itamaga plank market in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Wednesday has left several goods destroyed.

The fire, according to the Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, started at about 3 am and engulfed a shop in the market, destroying goods and properties.

Upon the arrival of the emergency responders at the scene, Okunbor noted it was discovered that the fire was caused by a power surge.

He stressed that the quick intervention of the emergency responders, comprising firefighters from the State Fire and Rescue Services and the LASEMA team, brought the fire under control.

He noted, “Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that one of the shops was engulfed by fire. A thorough investigation conducted by the agency’s LRT revealed that the fire originated from a power surge.

“The prompt intervention and coordinated efforts of the LRT and LASG Fire and Rescue Service ensured the fire was contained and quickly subdued.

“The fire consumed the shop, resulting in the partial loss of goods and properties at the incident scene.”

Okunbor continued that after the fire had been extinguished, the area was secured to prevent escalation, while the traders were sensitised to the use of electrical appliances.

“The fire has been completely extinguished, dampening down completed, and emergency responders have secured the entire area while occupants were enlightened on the proper use of electrical appliances,” he concluded.

According to Metro reported on May 20 that no fewer than 82 lives were lost and property damage amounting to N25.37bn to tragic fire incidents between May 2023 and 2024.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde, stated this while speaking at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the state capital.

Oyerinde had noted that 2,537 emergency calls were received, including 1,627 fire calls, 191 rescue calls, 93 salvage calls, and four explosions, along with 607 false alarms.