A devastating midnight inferno swept through Ladipo Market in Mushin and Owode Onirin Market along Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and leaving traders in despair.
The fire, which broke out around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, rapidly engulfed numerous shops and warehouses stocked with mechanical tools, vehicle spare parts, motorcycles, and household electrical appliances at Ladipo Market. Similarly, another raging fire erupted at Owode Onirin Market, consuming shops dealing in metallic materials and other industrial goods.
Braving intense heat and hazardous conditions, firefighters from multiple stations battled the flames for hours. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, backed by emergency responders from the Alausa and Ikorodu Fire Stations, successfully contained the inferno at Owode Onirin by 5 a.m., while operations at Ladipo Market continued until 6 a.m.
Despite facing accessibility challenges, first responders from Isolo, Bolade, and Alausa Fire Stations prevented the fires from spreading to neighboring businesses, minimizing further destruction.
Confirming the incidents, Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, assured the public that no casualties were recorded. However, she emphasized that investigations were already underway to determine the cause of the twin infernos.
“Thankfully, no lives were lost in either incident. The cause of the fires will be ascertained as soon as firefighting operations progress to the next stage,” Adeseye stated.
The tragic incident has left many traders counting their losses, with businesses reduced to ashes overnight. As authorities probe the origins of the fire, affected shop owners are left hoping for relief measures to cushion the devastating blow.
PIONEER NEWS 