The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, reported a significant fire incident that devastated a market in the Ajah area on Monday, resulting in the destruction of shops and goods valued at millions of naira.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency’s Permanent Secretary, confirmed the fire broke out late Sunday night at Ajah market near the Alesh bus stop in Lekki, Lagos.
LASEMA responded promptly to distress calls received on the toll-free lines at 9:30 AM, deploying its Emergency Response Team from the Lekki Base. Upon arrival at 10:10 PM, responders found numerous shops filled with flammable materials engulfed in flames.
While investigations are ongoing, the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities from the incident.
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Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized that the fire caused extensive property damage but noted that LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service worked effectively to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures.
In addition to extinguishing the fire, the teams also managed a large, agitated crowd present at the scene. The fire has now been successfully contained, and operations at the site have concluded.
This fire is part of a troubling trend in Lagos, where market fires have become increasingly frequent. For instance, earlier this year, fires in markets like Idumota and Dosumu resulted in similar devastation, highlighting ongoing safety concerns regarding electrical infrastructure and building regulations in densely populated areas.
