No fewer than 17 shops were destroyed in an early morning fire that swept through Sabo Market in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Tuesday. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the blaze, which started around 1:10 a.m., was contained before it spread to other parts of the market.
LASEMA spokesperson, Olawale Afolabi, said preliminary findings suggest the fire originated from one shop and was likely caused by an electrical surge while power supply was active. Emergency responders from LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service quickly brought the situation under control, preventing a larger disaster.
The agency said 17 of the 32 shops in the affected section were damaged, with groceries, foodstuffs and other goods destroyed. However, no casualties or injuries were recorded, while adjoining shops were largely saved due to the swift response of emergency teams.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged traders and residents to observe electrical safety by avoiding overloaded circuits, ensuring proper wiring and conducting regular inspections. He also encouraged the public to report emergencies promptly through the state’s toll-free lines, 112 and 767.
