No fewer than eleven shops were razed while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire incident that occurred on Tuesday at the Boundary Market in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State.
According to Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the fire was sparked by an explosion that occurred in a retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored.
He said in a statement on Tuesday that the agency’s officers were able to confine the fire and keep it from spreading to other structures.
The statement read, “In response to distress calls via the 767/112 Toll Free Emergency numbers at 9:20 am, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency activated its Response Team from Onipanu Base.
“Upon arrival of the Eagle Response Team at the incident scene by 9:37 pm, it was observed that some shops at the Alayabiagba market were engulfed by fire.
“Investigations conducted revealed that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored, as a result of gas leakage from one of the cylinders before spreading to other shops in the aforementioned location.
“Collaborative efforts of the cobra team with the firemen at the scene contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.”
According to the LASEMA boss, the fire affected 11 establishments, including two gas retailer shops and nine others selling clothes, phones, PVC pipes, and everyday needs.
He stated that the fire was extinguished while the incident scene was controlled to prevent more incidents.
He further stated that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Dangote Fire Service, and other emergency responders.
