17 shops located at Sabo Market, in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos have been destroyed in an early morning fire outbreak.
The outbreak is said to have occured around 1:10 am on Tuesday, 21 July, according to LASEMA (Lagos State Emergency Management Agency).
In a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Olawale Afolabi, it was confirmed that there are no recorded casualties from the fire, however provisions, foodstuffs, groceries, and other goods were destroyed in the fire.
In the statement, it was also explained that preliminary investigations reveal that the fire began in one of the shops and spread to adjoining shops with the primary cause suspected to be an electrical surge.
The fire was limited to 17 of 32 shops in the affected section as operatives from LASEMA and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were quick to the scene and contained the fire before it’s spread to more shops.
“Recovery operations have now been successfully concluded, and the LASEMA response team has returned to base,” he pointed out.
The Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu took the chance to urge market traders and leaders to pay greater attention to electrical safety. He advised them to ensure appropriate wiring, avoid overloading electrical appliances and regularly inspect electrical installations.
He then urged residents to report emergencies swiftly to 112 and 767, which are the state’s designated toll-free emergency numbers.